An Oakland business is being sued by the city attorney for, among other savory things, allegedly practicing law without a license, in the process taking advantage of six victims. Among the victims are immigrant families.
"[Oakland City Attorney John] Russo alleged that the company, American Legal Services, which has offices at the Eastmont Mall, violated a number of laws, including practicing law without a license, advertising legal services without required disclosures, making false and misleading statements and promises to their clients, and claiming to have special influence over immigration officials.
The lawsuit seeks $150,000 in restitution for six victims. It's also seeking civil penalties of $8.2 million - $100,000 for each of the 82 alleged violations of the state Immigration Consultants Act and the California Penal Code."
One of the victims, an illegal immigrant who served in the U.S. Army Reserves, faced deportation as a result of "botched" paperwork prepared by ALS.
— Cynthia Foster
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