Armenian Consulate-general in LA issued a statement on former Armenian consul in LA Norayr Ghalumyan charged with immigration offenses. It says that the consulate takes into consideration the statement of the U.S. Attorney Office for Central District of California of the five arrested Armenians, LA residents, charged with illegal actions.

“We are ready to cooperate closely with U.S. law machinery, as are interested in prompt disclosure of the instituted proceedings circumstances. The Consulate hopes to get more accurate details from American side regarding the case, particularly concerning the supplying so-called letters of refusal by the accused”, Armenian Consulate-general statement reads.

Armenian diplomatic mission informed that Norayr Ghalumyan has not been employed with Armenian Consulate of LA since 2002, and in 2003 quit the service and moved to U.S. for permanent residence. As for Hakob Hovhannisyan, he was a technical staff member and resigned in 2007.

As NEWS.am informed earlier, as a result of a two-year investigation, five people, including a former Armenian consul in LA Norayr Ghalumyan, have been arrested on charges that they sold official letters to illegal immigrants to help them avoid deportation. The five are accused of supplying so-called letters of refusal from the Armenian Consulate for as much as $35,000 apiece. Many of those who purchased the letters were Armenian nationals facing deportation after being convicted of felony offenses in the United States.