Marc Payen, a self-proclaimed New York State licensed immigration lawyer and immigration service provider for the United Nations, was arrested and charged with 23 counts of Grand Larceny, Forgery, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, Scheme to Defraud and the Unauthorized Practice of Law. It was alleged that Payan took advantage of 6 Haitian immigrants by fraudulently offering and providing them immigration services in efforts to obtain them Temporary Protected Status (TPS) after a major earthquake in January 2010.
Between September 2009 and April 2010, Payen allegedly misrepresented himself to at least six immigrants that he was either an immigration attorney working for the United Nations, or a United Nations employee working in the immigration services department. But in actuality, Payen is neither a lawyer nor was he employed by the UN.
After a major earthquake in Haiti in January 2010, Payen puportedly reached out to most of his victims and offered them his assistance in filing their Temporary Protected Status, green cards and work permits for a fee of $1000 to $3000 each. Through his alleged misrepresentation, Payen defrauded approximately $12,500.
If convicted, Payen faces a maximum penalty of 104 years in State prison.