Border officer got green cards via bribes, sold them to immigrants

A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer faces up to 80 years in federal prison when he is sentenced later this year for bribing government workers to obtain green cards and citizenship for immigrants.

George Wu, 62, of Pico Rivera was convicted Thursday of conspiracy and five counts of bribery of a public official. Wu worked as a CBP officer until 2012, then opened Great Eastern Immigration Services and worked as an immigration consultant, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Federal prosecutors said Wu and another consultant, Michael Bui, would solicit money from immigrants looking to obtain green cards or citizenship, and some of the money was used to bribe public officials.

Wu faces up to five years in prison for the conspiracy conviction, and up to 15 years for each of the bribery charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 30.

Bui pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy and bribery. He will be sentenced Nov. 2.

— City News Service