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Ex-USCIS Official Charged In $960,000 Citizenship Bribery Scheme

Written by TNNBot on

A former U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official and an associate were arrested and charged in a scheme that allegedly took about $960,000 to fast-track citizenship and immigration cases.[1]

Federal prosecutors charged both defendants with conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities by a public official, a crime that carries up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.[1] The criminal complaint identifies the former official as Ganiyu and the alleged accomplice as Somoye.[1]

Between December 2019 and March 2026, Ganiyu allegedly bypassed standard USCIS checks to fast-track paying applicants' immigration cases, including citizenship.[1] Prosecutors say Ganiyu rerouted applications from USCIS field offices in Minneapolis, Charlotte and Houston so he could approve them himself.[1]

The complaint alleges Ganiyu received about $671,438 via Zelle and Cash App and $287,830 in cash deposits.[1] Somoye is accused of handling roughly $1.7 million in transfers and of depositing $449,010 in cash.[1] Prosecutors allege Ganiyu expedited Somoye's naturalization and then residency applications for Somoye's wife and child.[1]

  1. Fox News
Immigration & Demographic Change Crime and Immigration Enforcement Federal Courts and DOJ
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📌 Key Facts

  • Between December 2019 and March 2026, Ganiyu allegedly bypassed standard USCIS checks to fast-track paying applicants' immigration cases, including citizenship.
  • The criminal complaint says Ganiyu rerouted applications from USCIS field offices in Minneapolis, Charlotte and Houston to approve them himself.
  • Prosecutors allege Ganiyu received about $671,438 via Zelle and Cash App and $287,830 in cash deposits, while Somoye handled roughly $1.7 million in transfers and deposited $449,010 in cash.
  • Ganiyu allegedly expedited Somoye's own naturalization and then residency applications for Somoye's wife and child.
  • Both defendants were arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities by a public official and each faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

📰 Source Timeline (1)

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September 07, 2026
6:32 AM
Former USCIS official, accomplice charged in alleged $960K citizenship bribery scheme
Fox News