Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon has announced the arrest of a Hempstead woman for fraudulently taking thousands of dollars from immigrants to assist them in immigration matters. Clover A. Richards, aka Clover A. Richards Jones, 34, has been charged with Scheme to Defraud First Degree, Grand Larceny Third Degree and the Unlawful Practice of Law. It is alleged that Richards fraudulently took over $50,000 from numerous immigrants on the basis that she would file their applications for residency or change of status with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. Richards never made such application on their behalf.

According to Dillon, "Richards operated a business known as New Beginning Clerical Service, Inc. Prior to November of last year, she operated out of 1089 Front Street in Uniondale. Most recently, Richards operated the business from 292 Fulton Avenue, Suite 207, in Hempstead. It is alleged that Richards told people that she was an immigration officer, working nights, which allowed her to do business during the day. She said that she could assist people with immigration problems and file petitions through religious workers programs. Richards told clients that her fee was $5,000 and since 1997, she took the money from numerous clients through these false representations."

The district attorney said he received numerous complaints after Richards failed to provide the services she promised to deliver and failed to return the money. Some victims said Richards provided them with documents from INS to show that she was working on their immigration problems. Those documents turned out to be fraudulent. In addition, it's alleged that at times, the defendant represented herself as an attorney.

A search warrant was executed at Richards' place of business in Hempstead. Numerous files and computer records were seized. The investigation is continuing to determine the full extent of the scheme.

Richards surrendered to the DA's office this morning and will be arraigned on the charges later today in First District Court in Hempstead. If convicted, she faces up to seven years in prison. The charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.