Modal Trigger
Devyani Khobragade, deputy consul general at the Indian Consulate, leaves federal court Thursday after her arrest for alleged visa fraud.Photo: Steven Hirsch
A top diplomat at India’s consulate in Manhattan who lobbies for women’s rights has been busted by the feds — after allegedly mistreating her female nanny.
Devyani , India’s 39-year-old deputy consul general for political, economic, commercial and women’s affairs, was busted Thursday for allegedly helping to submit fake documents to the US State Department saying she was paying the woman $4,500 per month — when, in reality, the caregiver received only $573 monthly, or a measly $3.31 an hour.
In an April interview with The Indian Panorama, a weekly Manhattan-based newspaper, Khobragade claimed that she’s a strong advocate for “underprivileged” women’s rights.
She added that she hoped someday to persuade the US government to make it easier for Indian nationals to apply for work visas.
“We are trying to safeguard the interests of Indians who are highly specialized and skilled by increasing the number of [non-immigrant] applications that can be accepted from Indian applicants,” said Khobragade, who is married to a philosophy professor and has two young daughters.
Khobragade hired her employee, an Indian national, in November 2012 and used her as a babysitter and housekeeper at her Manhattan home until June.
The diplomat is accused of telling the woman to lie on her visa application to get to the United States and say she was going to be paid the higher amount.
Then, Khobragade allegedly had the woman sign a second, under-the-radar contract that noted the nanny’s monthly salary including overtime — the much smaller amount.
The nanny and her husband, who were not named, are serving as witnesses in the case.
“This type of fraud on the United States and exploitation of an individual will not be tolerated,” said Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara in a statement.
Khobragade was charged with one count each of visa fraud and making false statements. She faces up to 15 years behind bars.
She pleaded not guilty before a magistrate judge in Manhattan federal court and was released on $250,000.
Khobragade’s lawyer, Daniel Arshack, said he plans to claim diplomatic immunity for his client.
Posts
1 comment:
She s back in India and why didnt she brings her family with her? Hypocrites and elitist like they think they can just bring people there and drive them nuts letting them work free with no pay as if bringing her there is the greatest gift they can give to poor people by working free in return?
One sister of mine worked one day in an indian family of doctors with two college kids, to filled in the time of a friend s friend s absence who was sick and admitted herself to hospital. my sister a retired social worker only lasted just half a day not because of anything the kids were kind and helpful so were the parents.. its the dirty and smelly house she cant take. She was supposed to cook lunch and dinner only for the college kids..But she declined the pay of $50 cuz as she said she wouldnt be staying until 5 pm..and finish the work..
Like i was when travelling one time from japan to Manila for a 4 hours flight , i have the misfortune to be seated between two business suited Indian men.Im not being racist but the smell of both of them made me vomit big time that a kind stewardess put me away from them..and you can imagine my discomfort and sudden illness from the smell im not used to..
Post a Comment