THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 1, 2022 Page 15 Immigration attorney barred from running asylum scam, ordered to pay more than $240K O n March 24, Attorney General Maura Healey announced that an attorney who was sued for running an asylum scam in the Brazilian immigrant community has been found to have engaged in unfair or deceptive practices, ordered by a judge to pay more than $240,000 in penalties and restitution and barred from any future illegal immigration services. The Middlesex County Superior Court order, which was issued after a 12-day bench trial, follows a civil lawsuit filed by the Attorney General’s Office in 2018 alleging that Attorney George C. Maroun, Jr. targeted the Brazilian immigrant community and routinely employed deceptive and misleading practices in violation of the state’s Consumer Protection Act. “This attorney’s business model targeted and exploited immigrants looking for legal help and made a profit at their expense, while also putting them at risk of deportation,” said Healey. “This was a hard-fought case by my office, and we are pleased to secure restitution and achieve accountability for those harmed by these illegal practices.” Maroun practices immigration law and has maintained law offices in various locations, including in Somerville, Woburn, Chelmsford and Stoneham. According to the Attorney General’s Office’s complaint, since January 2013, Maroun submitted immigration-related petitions and applications on behalf of more than 1,000 residents in Eastern Massachusetts, many of them Brazilians who speak limited English. Based on the evidence presented at trial, the judge found that Maroun repeatedly violated the Consumer Protection Act. Maroun filed immigration applications on behalf of clients without their knowledge or consent, failed to explain the legal processes he would use in their cases or their possible consequences, filed asylum applications/affidavits with falsehoods, filed untimely asylum applications that would most probably result in denial and lead to removal proceedings, made false guarantees/misrepresentations about whether he could secure clients legal immigration status and used deportation threats to collect attorney’s fees. Under the terms of the court order, Maroun is required to pay a total of $241,800, including $160,000 in civil penalties and $81,800 restitution for affected clients. Maroun is also permanently prohibited from representing new clients, filing immigration applications or soliciting legal fees without disclosing and fully explaining the legal processes, available options for clients and any risks and benefits of his services. Maroun is also required to obtain a client’s consent before undertaking any representation or filing any applications on behalf of the client, and he is barred from making threats of deportation or other negative immigration consequences in order to collect current or additional legal fees from clients. In his decision, the judge noted that the Supreme Judicial Court and the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers are in a position to decide whether to place restrictions on Maroun’s ability to practice law in the Commonwealth. As part of her office’s ongoing efforts to advocate for the state’s immigrant communities, Attorney General Healey has been informing and protecting residents from fraudulent immigration law practices. The office’s multilingual education campaign, which was first launched in 2018, provides immigrant communities with information about predatory practices, and the tools and tips necessary to help protect themselves. The Attorney General’s Office has since relaunched its education materials and outreach after hearing from community partners about unscrupulous lawyers taking advantage of their clients and a widespread scam known as “notario fraud” – the unauthorized practice of immigration law. The Attorney General’s Office has previously acted against individuals for exploiting residents seeking immigration services. In 2016, Gerson Barahona, a Waltham man, was ordered to pay more than $155,760 in restitution to victims, civil penalties and attorney’s fees after he posed as an immigration lawyer and unlawfully charging hundreds or thousands of dollars for legal advice and services. The Attorney General’s Office sought and obtained a preliminary injunction in December 2014 that required Barahona to cease providing any services related to immigration matters. To report an immigration scam, call the Attorney General’s Office’s Civil Rights Division at 617-963-2917. To learn more, please visit www.mass.gov/immigrationscams. Hitting the links could be a hole in one for your health While golfing was once known as the game of kings, the American Heart Association (AHA), the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, says you don’t have to be royalty or a professional player to reap health benefits from hitting the links at your local golf course. Research presented at AHA’s International Stroke Conference in 2020 found that golfing regularly – at least once a month – lowered the risk of death, especially among older adults. Golfing can provide benefits like stress reduction and regular exercise. Due to its social nature and typically slower, controlled pace, people of most all ages and physical fitness levels can play the sport. “The regular exercise, time spent outside enjoying nature, social interaction and even the friendly competition of a round of golf are all elements that can foster mental and physical wellbeing,” said AHA President Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones. “The past couple of years have been hard and many of us have picked up some unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as more eating and less physical activity, and we’ve missed the company of friends and family. I think golfing can offer a great opportunity to start venturing back out into an enjoyable activity that can feed our hearts and our souls.” For the study on golfing, researchers from the University of Missouri in Columbia analyzed data from the Cardiovascular Health Study, a population-based observational study of risk factors for heart disease and stroke in adults 65 and older. Out of nearly, 5,900 participants – average age 72 – researchers identified nearly 400 regular golfers. During the 10year follow-up period, death rates for golfers were significantly lower than for non-golfers. A comprehensive review of research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine analyzed more than 300 scientific studies, leading a panel of 25 public health experts to issue an international consensus statement, from several sporting and golf organizations, noting the health and social benefits of golf. “The American Heart Association recommends most people get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week. Golfing qualifies as a moderate-intensity exercise, specifically if you are walking an 18-hole course, carrying your golf clubs,” said Lloyd-Jones. “While golfing, you’re increasing your heart rate and blood flow, enhancing brain stimulation, improving your balance and socializing. Even if you are riding in a cart and playing a short course of only 9 holes, you’re still being physically active, and we know any movement is better than none.” There are a few safety measures to take into consideration before hitting the greens. Before you start, warm up with a few stretching exercises and be sure to wear sunscreen even on cloudy days. Also, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and don’t get overheated. Be aware of the signs of a heat stroke, and if you or your fellow golfers show any of the following symptoms, call 911 and seek emergency medical help right away. • Fever (temperature above 104 degrees) • Irrational behavior • Extreme confusion • Dry, hot and red skin • Rapid, shallow breathing • Rapid, weak pulse • Seizures • Unconsciousness MALDEN TRANS NOW HIRING!!! CDL SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS, 7D DRIVERS & TAXI DRIVERS COMPETITIVE PAY OFFERED $17/HR - 7D DRIVERS $26/HR - CDL DRIVERS CALL TO INQUIRE - 781-322-9400 OR 781-322-9401 - ASK FOR DAVID OR ED
16 Publizr Home