2007年VOA标准英语-US Charges Two Men in Cuba Travel Scheme

U.S. officials have charged two men with helping¹ thousands of people travel to Cuba with fraudulent religious visas. Authorities say the suspects used bogus church names and other information to avoid travel restrictions² to the Communist island. VOA's Brian Wagner reports from Miami.

U.S. officials announced the indictment³ following a months-long probe that involved local police, immigration officials and the Treasury⁴ Department.

They say Victor Vazquez and David Margolis are accused of helping some 4,500 travelers avoid Cuba-related travel regulations. The two men are accused of taking advantage of a Treasury Department program that grants permits to churches for religious and humanitarian⁵ missions to Cuba.

Alex Acosta (2006 photo)

"An individual could then go into a travel service provider, indicate a desire to travel to Cuba, pay a fee of $250 and then have the ability to travel as if they were a member of this non-existent church," said Alex Acosta.

Acosta says the alleged⁸ sale of the bogus licenses generated about $1 million in revenue during a nine-month period last year.

Authorities said the pair could face up to five years in prison, if convicted.

Officials expressed concern that the alleged incident could affect thousands of others who conduct legitimate⁹ religious missions to Cuba each year.

Adam Szubin is the director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the Treasury Department, which oversees¹⁰ Cuba sanctions.

"The fact that we see fraud as being exposed today with made-up ministers, made-up churches, will mean very sadly that we have to pay increasing scrutiny¹¹ to church organizations, religious organizations that come in and apply," said Adam Szubin. "I think it's a second tragedy of this activity, aside from the criminal conduct itself."

For more than four decades, the United States has barred American companies from doing business in Cuba. In recent years, Washington has allowed limited cash sales of food and medicine intended to aid the Cuban people. U.S. officials say the sanctions are needed to create pressure on the Cuban government and hasten a transition to democracy on the island.