MR. KHOJAYAN WINS ACQUITTALS ON 9 OUT OF 11 COUNTS AFTER BENCH TRIAL ON IMMIGRATION FRAUD

Los Angeles, California — Mr. Khojayan’s client ran a business that promised customers guaranteed admission into U.S. universities. The government accused the client in Los Angeles federal court of immigration fraud based on the theory that the university admissions resulted in false issued I-20 immigration documents to enter the United States. The client’s defense was that his specific intent was not to obtain I-20 documents for his clients. The customer would separately apply for the I-20 through the university only after accepting the admission offer.
Mr. Khojayan and his client believed a bench trial to a judge without a jury would provide a better audience for such a technical defense. After the presentation of evidence and examination of witnesses, Mr. Khojayan prepared a written brief highlighting the favorable testimony and lack of evidence supporting the government’s theory. With his zealous defense and brief, Mr. Khojayan won acquittals for nine of the 11 counts and convinced the court to reject the government’s request to hold the client responsible for over 250 false immigration documents. As a result, the client’s sentence for the remaining two counts was several years less than the government had demanded before trial.