Investigates

DENVER (CBS4) ― A former immigration enforcement agent says he is seeing an "epidemic" of fraudulent marriages where foreign women marry American men, then claim domestic violence to escape the marriage and legally remain in the U.S.

"What happens is they enter into a one-sided sham marriage to defraud an American citizen into believing they love him. And once they get in, they allege domestic violence to get themselves out of the sham marriage and to throw off suspicion this was a sham marriage to begin with," said John Sampson.

After 27 years as a U.S. Immigrations investigator, Sampson retired then started up a business in Aurora in January of this year to investigate suspected sham marriages. He says in less than six months, he has heard from 200 men in Colorado and across the country who are convinced they were used by foreign women then accused of being batterers. Under the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), foreign women who file abuse claims against their American spouses can obtain permanent resident status.

"It's something completely different and pernicious and vile to seek out a U.S. citizen and run a scam by them and entice them into marrying them and not only abandoning and emotionally abusing them, but falsely accusing them of a heinous act. They allege the U.S. Citizen abused them somehow and file paperwork with (the U.S. government) … and they're here to stay," said Sampson. "They have an ace-high flush."

He claims the case of Roza Alexanyan, who now lives in the Denver metro area, as an example of this phenomenon. The 51-year-old woman is from Sochi, a city in Russia. She placed an Internet ad seeking a husband. It caught the attention of Chris Hoppel, a registered nurse from Erie, Pa. The two corresponded via e-mail for several years and Hoppel said he fell in love. He traveled to Russia and married Alexanyan, bringing her and her daughter back to the U.S.

According to Hoppel, his wife arrived in the U.S. on May 10, 2005. He says her "green card" arrived May 26 and she disappeared the next day fleeing to a shelter saying Hoppel had abused her. He was never arrested or charged with assaulting his Russian born wife. But by virtue of VAWA, Alexanyan was eligible for permanent resident status due to her claims of abuse.

"And all you have to do to assure you stay is allege domestic violence against him, that's all you have to do," said Hoppel. "I never did anything to this woman except love her."

Hoppel now says he doesn't believe his Russian-born wife ever loved him.

"It was about the green cards, it's always been about the green cards. I look like a lollipop -- a sucker."

Men like Hoppel are now pressing for change in the Violence Against Women Act claiming that foreign women are exploiting it to gain residency in the U.S. via domestic violence claims.

But Laura Lichter, a Denver immigration attorney, believes the claims of sham marriages are being overblown. She has handled hundreds of immigration cases and says she believes the foreign women are usually telling the truth about being abused by their American husbands.

"I'm sure there's some people who might think this is a good way to go, but we haven't seen it," Lichter said.

Lichter contends that American men who seek foreign women are typically controlling and prone to violence.

"Because they are the ones with control and power they can manipulate the system. They can use someone's education and language and culture against them and we see it time and time again," she said.

Lichter goes on to say of the American men who find foreign brides, "They might say they have 'traditional values' or they're 'big on discipline' or 'want respect'. And they most certainly wouldn't describe themselves as bullies, but I think anyone looking at their behavior from the outside would easily recognize that."

There are no recent, reliable government statistics on how many foreigners are suspected of manipulating the American system to gain residency through a fraudulent marriage. Lichter estimates the number of fraud marriages involving domestic violence claims at 1 percent or less. Former immigration agent Sampson believes as many as 1/3 of the marriages between American men and foreign women are fraudulent.

The following statement was provided by a woman who is featured in the video report associated with this story. It has not been edited in any way by CBS4.

Dear CBS 4 Denver,

I Rosana, the women you portrayed in your recent story detailing claims by David Steinle of a fraudalent marraige conspiracy to gain access to the United States, hereby deny any and all allegations made either directly or through implication by your news station, Mr. David Steinle or any one else featured in the story or elsewhere. I have never plotted to, discussed, carried out or even imagined marrying anybody to gain access to this or any other country.

I met David in Brazil. He was eager to get married and after living together in Brazil for several months he came back to the United States and began initiating a process to bring me here with him. After a lengthy process, David and I reconnected in the US. And shortly after arriving here, David's personality changed and he began exhibiting signs of control and abuse. After several months and dozens of seperate abusive events my life felt threatened and with the help of a supportive group of friends, non-profit victims assistance, local prosecutors, judges and my employer I was able to gain independence and move on with my life.

It was a long and hard process that continues to this day. Unfortunately, by David Steinle making claims against me, going on camera, sharing private images and attempting to destroy my credibility, he is continuing his cycle of abuse against me in the only way he has left. I thank those who have supported me during this difficult time which continues to be a struggle to this very day.

Domestic Violence is a very unfortunate issue that often times becomes life threatening and I thank those who helped me to escape it and I urge anybody experiencing it to get help immediately. There are several local organizations available to help.

I want to make it clear that there is no evidence that my actions we're ever fradulant in any respect. I never married anyone to gain access to the US. In legal support of me a Denver divorce judge denied any claim to discount the marraige as fraudulant. I have moved on with my life as best I can and am hopeful everyone involved in this unfortunate situation can as well and we can all learn from the tragic effects of domestic violence.

-Rosana Liberata


The following statement was provided by David Steinle, also featured in the video report associated with this story. It has not been edited in any way by CBS4.

Dear CBS 4 Denver,

I am David Steinle, the man portrayed in the recent story about fraudulent marriage as a means to obtain permanent residency in the US.

I attest that all claims set forth in this story are factual and that I was indeed the victim and the abused in this case, rather than the abuser. Rosana Liberata concocted this story to secure her residency when I gave her the ultimatum of marriage counseling or a divorce. She then disappeared, obviously not interested in doing anything to save the marriage. Her next step, though initiated in haste, was set into motion by claiming domestic violence. I have proof and am willing to share it with any judge that will take the time to examine the case. I am willing to go under oath, under penalty of perjury, and illustrate how this case is completely bogus. Rosana is invited to attend to disprove my claims or make any new claims, but also under oath and penalty of perjury.

Domestic violence destroys the lives and hopes of those abused and is indeed a crime. Falsely accusing someone of this is also a crime, though it often goes unpunished as it has so far in this case. False accusations diminish the plight and of those legitimately abused, undermine the credibility of those attempting to enforce laws against it, and destroy the lives of those falsely accused. Rosana Liberata committed this crime, yet has been rewarded for her lies and deceit with permanent residency, rather than brought to justice.

I also take issue with the Denver District Attorney's office and Denver police, who either did not do their due diligence in this case or were complicit in it. In either contingency, they did not serve the public good. Firstly, in dragging my case out 16 months without a shred of evidence or a single corroborating witness, though one of her own friends in on record stating that Rosana asked her to lie to the DA to help her. Secondly, in not yet prosecuting Rosana Liberata, the real criminal here, for perjury and/or false reporting and aiding her in committing a federal offense of immigration marriage fraud.

Lastly, I would like to directly address Rosana's letter to CBS. As stated above, I am certain this was a fraudulent marriage. When she arrived here, she was a different person entirely from what she showed in Brazil. She did not help in the marriage in any way, but only wanted to go out alone with her friends as if living a single life. She destroyed things in our home, stole and hid money, disappeared for hours at a time, and lied about where she was and who she was with. Here, she claims I have shared private photos of her. These photos are by no means private, as she has a website in Brazil with these and many more soft porn photos, though she used an assumed name in order to keep the site hidden. She used the name Rosana Liberaza, with a Z in her last name rather than a T.

I can understand how people, including the Denver Police and District Attorney would want to defend her, as she can be very convincing and has woven quite a story, but if you look more closely and examine the facts of the case, it is easy to see that her story is completely bogus. Her claims fall apart, her story changes each time it is told, and if you look harder you can see the very make up and planning of her lies.

As I mentioned, I would like to have this case heard by an impartial judge, not by the Denver District Attorney, as they have a vested interest in making sure this case is never exposed for the fraud it is. This case, though not the only one, is an obvious black eye for the Denver DA's office, illustrating ineptitude or malfeasance in not doing their due diligence and exposing it would jeopardize millions in federal VAWA funding.

(© MMIX CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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