By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 16 - In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on January 25, a change of plea proceeding was held by Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil on a man charged with participating in an asylum fraud scheme in which he prepared fraudulent asylum applications and affidavits and coached clients to lie under oath during immigration proceedings
The defendant Arthur Arcadian answered with a series of "Yes" responses, some of which cut off Judge Vykocil questions. He apologized.
He said he coached the immigration client in Bethpage. Judge Vyskocil asked about venue. The Assistant US Attorney said a co-conspirator worked on the affidavit from Washington Heights, and they used a membership card in an LGBT community center in Manhattan.
The plea was accepted and sentencing set for May 31 at 11 am. The plea agreement has a sentencing guideline of eight to 14 months.
On May 17, 2023, Arcadian wrote in requesting a non-custodial sentences, as did his co-defendant Ilona Dzhamgarova, citing the difficulty of growing up Armenian in Azerbaijan amid the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
On May 25, the US Attorney's Office wrote in saying below eight months would be OK for Arcadian, but that Dzhamgarova should get the guideline, 33 to 41 months.
Inner City Press went on May 31 - the wife got 24 months, to start after the husband's six months, thread here:
Defense lawyer tells judge he went yesterday to Roosevelt Hotel on 45th and 5th, says migrants are getting cell phones and a room. Then describes women's prison his client is headed to. But for how long?
Judge: You encouraged 90 clients to lie about their sexual orientation, to seek asylum. There is a need for general deterence. I sentence you to 24 months. [2 women in the gallery are crying]
As Judge says this defendant will begin her 2 years after her husband finishes his 6 month sentence- July 8, 2024- a woman walks out of the courtroom loudly muttering, Those f*ckers - apparently (from her head motions during the proceeding) meaning the authorities.
On June 6, co-defendant got a (brief) delay: "ORDER as to (21-Cr-58-2) Igor Reznik. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the sentencing for Igor Reznik scheduled for June 7, 2023 is rescheduled to June 16, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Signed by Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil on 6/6/2023."
Inner City Press was there on June 16 when Reznik spoke about growing his business promoting other bands, have a son, and talking about taking out a mortgage. Judge Vyskocil noted all this but reminded him he harmed other, legitimate asylum seekers. She sentenced him to 10 months in prison, starting September 5.
More on Substack here
The case is US v. Dzhamgarova, et al., 21-cr-58 (Vyskocil)
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