Monday, May 22, 2006

Salvation Army Sued by Illegal Immigrants

Here is an interesting item, illegal immigrants are suing the Salvation Army. As reported from the AP via Yahoo:

A half-dozen illegal immigrants are suing the Salvation Army and two of its former local officials for consumer fraud, claiming the leaders took their money under false promises of helping them gain legal status.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in state Superior Court, claims the Rev. Enoc Tito Sotelo told his mostly Latino congregation at Plainfield's Salvation Army church that he would help them become Americans if they each paid $4,000 and donated $500 to the church.

The Salvation Army isn't commenting, but said they recently "terminated" the staff members involved.

Link, here.

This case will raise some interesting questions, such as how can anyone justify people who are "illegal" using tax money to hear a fraud case in civil court?

On the other hand, if fraud was committed, why is the case being heard in a civil court?

Perhaps, this case should be moved to a criminal court. Both "fraud" and "illegal immigration" are criminal offenses and (if found guilty) the former Salvation Army employees should go where they belong, or jail. The Judge could then order "civil restitution" and forward it to the "illegal immigrants" in the country, where they have been deported to.

Of course, before doing this, perhaps deductions should be made from the "civil restitution" amount for social services used (including those of the Salvation Army) before forwarding a single penny.

Daily, we read of government and charitable programs having financial difficulties. It's not fair to the rest of us - who haven't broken any laws - when we have to "financially support" (in the form of tax dollars) people who have broken the law seeking to profit from their illegal activity.

Illegal immigrants are routinely victimized by criminals, but you don't see them, or their attorneys suing the gangs that bring them across the border. Since this is the case, then why is OK to sue the Salvation Army, which is supported by charity?

Criminal activity needs to be addressed in criminal courts and people committing a crime (no matter how noble they think it is) shouldn't be financially rewarded.

3 comments:

prying1 said...

If I were the Judge!

I'd throw the case out and make sure the 'Illegals" are deported. - Along with 'the Rev. Enoc Tito Sotelo' - That is if Soleto is not a bonified citizen.

Hey did you hear about the judge who started the court a little differently?

He said, "The prosecution has given me $5,000 to throw the case their way and the defense has given me $10,000 to make sure they win this case. In order to keep this case fair I'm returning $5,000 to the defense..."

Don't you just love honest judges?

prying1 said...

If I were the Judge!

I'd throw the case out and make sure the 'Illegals" are deported. - Along with 'the Rev. Enoc Tito Sotelo' - That is if Soleto is not a bonified citizen.

Hey did you hear about the judge who started the court a little differently?

He said, "The prosecution has given me $5,000 to throw the case their way and the defense has given me $10,000 to make sure they win this case. In order to keep this case fair I'm returning $5,000 to the defense..."

Don't you just love honest judges?

prying1 said...

If I were the Judge!

I'd throw the case out and make sure the 'Illegals" are deported. - Along with 'the Rev. Enoc Tito Sotelo' - That is if Soleto is not a bonified citizen.

Hey did you hear about the judge who started the court a little differently?

He said, "The prosecution has given me $5,000 to throw the case their way and the defense has given me $10,000 to make sure they win this case. In order to keep this case fair I'm returning $5,000 to the defense..."

Don't you just love honest judges?