Almost 25 years since he was found guilty of conspiracy in the largest US visa fraud case in US State Department history, Guyanese businessman, Halim Khan, who was deported on the completion of his sentence more than two decades ago, has now been sworn in as a Justice of the Peace and Commissioner of Oaths and Affidavits in Guyana.
Khan now serves as a Spiritual Leader of the Meten-Meer-Zorg (East) Masjid. He was appointed and sworn in as a JP and COA on Friday.
According to a report in the Guyana Chronicle, Khan said he sees his appointment as an opportunity to continue serving the people beyond the mosque, whether that involves “helping someone sign a document, certify a form, or understand a legal declaration, this is about making justice and official processes more accessible to ordinary citizens—especially in rural areas”.
Back in 2000, Khan was charged along with US Embassy Consul Officer at the time, Thomas Carroll in a multi-million US dollar visa fraud scheme.
They were both found guilty of conspiracy to sell US visas. Khan was sentenced to 38 months in jail after striking a plea deal. He was deported on the completion of his sentence.
The visa fraud scheme netted millions of dollars for the two convicts, and during the probe, several other Guyanese were implicated including members of the infamous Black Clothes Squad of the Guyana Police Force. The probe also uncovered large quantities of gold that was reportedly used by some of those who were part of the scheme to pay off for their us visas. Others paid between US$15,000 and US$25,000 for their visas as part of the racket.
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