Seattle Couple
Arrested; Accused of Advising Asylum Seekers to Say
They're Gay

A couple in the Seattle area was arrested Tuesday for allegedly advising immigrants seeking asylum to say they're gay. Steven and Helen Mahoney are accused of helping at least three immigrants file fraudulent asylum applications on such grounds, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.

The couple, now estranged, reportedly operated as immigration consultants for more than a decade. In one instance cited in the federal grand jury indictment, the Mahoneys assisted a person identified only by his initials "G.V.," whose asylum application claimed he/she was gay and asserted that "G.V. was afraid of being assaulted and maimed if G.V. returned to his/her home country." But there was no truth to that statement, according to the Post-Intelligencer.

Both Steven and Helen Mahoney are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit immigration fraud. Steven is also charged with three counts of immigration fraud. (Advocate.com)