Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer today announced that he has filed multiple criminal charges against a Hispanic man allegedly practicing law illegally.
Jesus Luna Lozano, also known as Enrique Perez Huerta, who according to the Attorney General's Office operated his business under the name West Coast Professional Services and/or East West Law Center in Van Nuys, faces six criminal chargesincluding: one for practicing law without a license; three for violating the Immigration Consultant Act by failing to post bonds and give notices; one count of failing to give written contracts; and one count of violating a permanent restraining order against him prohibiting him from practicing as an immigration consultant.
Since 2003, Luna Lozano, 52, has been subject to a restraining order following a civil lawsuit for practicing immigration law without a license. But he has violated that order several times.
The prosecution filed the six charges thanks to an undercover operation in which investigators from the Department of Consumer Affairs visited Luna Lozano at his offices, located at 6320 Van Nuys Boulevard, posing as customers.
On two occasions in December 2014, Luna Lozano provided immigration legal advice to undercover investigators in violation of the restraining order not to practice.
Luna Lozano is due to appear in court on February 27, when the charges against him will be read. If found guilty, he could go to prison for more than 5 years.
During a press conference this morning, Attorney Feuer emphasized that they will prosecute with the full force of the law any scammers who attempt to victimize and defraud immigrants.
Below you can watch a report from NBC where I talk about the problem of notarios and immigration fraud in the wake of today's action:
This is the first action of the campaign against notarios and immigration fraud that the Attorney General announced in December.
I thank Attorney Feuer for taking this action and hope that they will continue to pursue and prosecute these individuals who do so much harm to the immigrant community.
If you have been victimized by Luna Lozano or other individuals posing as attorneys, Feuer urges you to report your cases by calling: 800-593-8222.
