Indian national arrested for attempted bribery of ICE officer
NEW YORK – A citizen and national of India was arrested Monday for attempting to bribe an officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE).
The case was investigated by the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility.
Naga Srinivasa Rao Pilla, 38, faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison for bribery of a public official. Pilla was also charged with procurement of citizenship or naturalization unlawfully, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.
"ICE takes all bribery attempts of our employees very seriously," said Terrence Opiola, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, overseeing the Northeast Region. "All allegations of bribery are investigated thoroughly and swift enforcement action is taken when appropriate."
According to the criminal complaint, Pilla, who was ordered removed by an immigration judge, offered to pay the ICE officer $2,000 to help him obtain immigration benefits.
On July 13, 2015, at an arranged meeting between Pilla and the ICE officer to exchange the money, ICE officers arrested him on the current charges.
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