Official Says Notario Not Paying Penalties
SPRINGDALE WOMAN OWES ALMOST $100,000
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Attorney General’s Office is going after a Springdale woman for failing to pay almost $100,000 in civil penalties imposed last year after illegally providing legal services and advice to immigrants.
Victoria Nimroozi and her business, Latin Community Services of Springdale, offered her services under the name Vicky Carreon. Nimroozi was charging for immigration assistance, visas, tax assistance, identification and power of attorney letters, according to a civil lawsuit filed by the attorney general last year.
On Sept. 22, 2008, Nimroozi was ordered to forfeit $24,590 she had illegally collected. She was also ordered to pay the state $70,000 in civil penalties, but $60,000 was suspended. Washington County Circuit Judge Kim Smith also said he’d be willing to further suspend the remaining $10,000 in civil penalties if Nimroozi helped to find victims who were owed money.
Now, the attorney general’s office says Nimroozi has paid only $2,500. Another $11,500 was collected from bonding companies who covered Nimroozi. She owes $25,590, not counting the suspended penalties.
“Ms. Nimroozi has made virtually no effort to address the payment of this judgment and has not cooperated in the location of her victims,” according to documents filed by the state Tuesday. The state is asking Smith to reinstate the suspended civil penalties and approve a garnishment against Nimroozi.
Under Arkansas law, any person using the term “notario” or “notario publico” or any similar term or spelling must be a notary public and provide notice in advertising they are not a licensed attorney and cannot practice law and cannot offer legal advice.
State officials say “notaries” take advantage of a literal English translation of “notario publico.” In Latin America, “notaries” refers to members of the legal community who have specialized training in various areas of the law. There is no equivalent in the United States.
The only services a certified notary public can perform in the United States are witnessing signatures and administering oaths, according to the attorney general’s office.
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