October 16, 2006

Attorney General Abbott Sues Starr County Woman For Unauthorized Legal Services Business

Irene V. Rodriguez allegedly scammed consumers out of hundreds of dollars with unauthorized legal advice, document preparation

RIO GRANDE CITY – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today took legal action against a South Texas woman alleging she violated several provisions of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) and the Texas Government Code by providing immigration and other legal services to consumers despite not being licensed as an attorney.

Irene V. Rodriguez allegedly charged consumers in Starr County hundreds of dollars each to prepare legal documents in anticipation of immigration proceedings and misled clients into believing that she was authorized to handle such matters. The Attorney General’s lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction against Rodriguez, as well as Rodriguez Immigration & Office Services, the fraudulent document preparation business she operates in Rio Grande City.

“The exploitation of Texas consumers seeking legitimate legal representation will not be tolerated,” said Attorney General Abbott. “Families in need of legal assistance should be able to rely on honorable professionals who are qualified and licensed to practice law. The Consumer Protection Division of my office will continue to vigorously pursue anyone who ignores requirements set out under Texas law.”

Consumers paid Rodriguez upwards of $600 to determine their eligibility for immigration benefits and prepare and file immigration documents on their behalf with federal officials. Rodriguez relied upon misleading business cards to advertise her unauthorized business and deceive unsuspecting consumers into believing that she was qualified to provide legal counsel on immigration issues.

Rodriguez is neither licensed as an attorney nor accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) as able to charge fees to advise and represent clients in immigration matters, as required by Texas law.

The lawsuit also accuses Rodriguez of deceptive use of her notary public status. Texas notaries public are primarily charged with witnessing the signing of legal documents; however, in Mexico, a "notario público" is much like an attorney in the United States, licensed to offer legal counsel and to represent citizens in legal matters.

Scam artists have long exploited the misunderstanding between the term "notary" and the similar-sounding Spanish term "notario," which is commonly used in Latin America to refer to highly specialized attorneys. Texas law specifically prohibits notaries public from providing immigration services unless they are a licensed attorney.

Today’s action marks the first such “notario” case in Starr County prosecuted by the Texas Attorney General’s office. The lawsuit seeks fines of up to $20,000 per violation of the DTPA.

Consumers seeking licensed attorneys should contact the Texas State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Services hotline at (800) 252-9690.

Since assuming office, Attorney General Abbott has become a national leader in halting businesses that prey upon unsuspecting consumers. He has shut down almost 40 businesses that are not authorized to provide legal advice or document preparation services.

For additional information or to file a complaint against a suspected unauthorized legal services operation, consumers can contact the Office of the Attorney General at (800) 252-8011 or visit the Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us. Assistance is available in English and Spanish.