ALPINE, Texas (AP) — Prosecutors say a former Texas schoolteacher and Indian national who’s been jailed for nearly a year has been sentenced to time served for job-related visa fraud and will be deported.
George Mariadas Kurusu was sentenced Wednesday in Alpine and must repay about $53,000 (3,398,625 Indian rupees).
The 58-year-old Kurusu in January pleaded guilty to wire fraud, fraud in foreign labor contracting, making a false statement on a visa application and to tampering with a witness, victim or an informant.
Kurusu formerly taught in Fort Stockton, Texas. Administrators were unaware of the scheme in which he helped lure foreign teachers, via newspaper ads in Hyderabad, India, then pocketed large fees.
Prosecutors say Kurusu, who was arrested last May, took 15 percent from each teacher’s paycheck and threatened deportation for those who complained.