Homeland Security Official Never Sentenced In Maid Case
BOSTON - Federal prosecutors in Boston are pressing for action on a Homeland Security official convicted a year ago of paying an illegal immigrant but never sentenced.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Freniere wrote U.S. District Judge Douglas Woodlock to request a sentencing hearing for Lorraine Henderson, the Boston Herald reported.
Henderson, who was in charge of customs at New England facilities, including Logan International Airport, was convicted March 22, 2010, of encouraging Brazilian maid Fabiana Bitencourt to stay in the country fraudulently.
With a possible five-year term, she was to be sentenced June 18, but requested a judgment of acquittal or a new trial. Woodlock took the motion under advisement and has said nothing since.
Henderson and her attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
"I don't know what the judge is thinking," said Arthur Pitts Sr., a top customs official and longtime friend of Henderson.
Bitencourt admitted being in the country illegally since 2001 and testified that Henderson never asked her for proof of status while she worked for her from 2004 to 2008.
