LOS ANGELES -- A Los Angeles doctor is under arrest, accused of falsifying medical exam results for immigrants applying for visas.
Levon Tebelekian, 72, was arrested Tuesday. Tebelekian is charged in a criminal complaint with fraud and making false statements, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said.
Immigrants applying for permanent residency must undergo a medical exam to ensure they don't have any medical conditions or diseases that could threaten public health, ICE's Miguel Unzueta said.
Tebelekian, whose practice is on Hollywood Blvd., was on the Los Angeles-area list of USCIS-designated doctors who are authorized to conduct those exams, ICE officials said.
The law also requires that prospective immigrants be vaccinated against certain diseases and tested for others, including tuberculosis and HIV.
Investigators say Tebelekian charged some immigrants up to $150 to complete the medical examination form, but never examined them.
If convicted, Tebelekian faces up to 80 years in prison.
Levon Tebelekian, 72, was arrested Tuesday. Tebelekian is charged in a criminal complaint with fraud and making false statements, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said.
Immigrants applying for permanent residency must undergo a medical exam to ensure they don't have any medical conditions or diseases that could threaten public health, ICE's Miguel Unzueta said.
Tebelekian, whose practice is on Hollywood Blvd., was on the Los Angeles-area list of USCIS-designated doctors who are authorized to conduct those exams, ICE officials said.
The law also requires that prospective immigrants be vaccinated against certain diseases and tested for others, including tuberculosis and HIV.
Investigators say Tebelekian charged some immigrants up to $150 to complete the medical examination form, but never examined them.
If convicted, Tebelekian faces up to 80 years in prison.
