San Diego psychologist charged with selling false documents

April 16, 2012

SAN DIEGO — A South Bay psychologist was charged Friday with creating bogus immigration and disability income applications that falsely stated some form of medical disability.

Roberto J. Velasquez, a licensed psychologist, was arrested on two charges of selling false documentation. He is expected to appear in San Diego federal court on Monday.

The 55-year-old Velasquez worked at Pacific Health Systems on Sweetwater Road in National City.

Court records in support of his arrest said he would agree for a $200 fee to falsely say a person qualified for a medical disability exemption and could get out of taking the written examination to become a U.S. citizen.

He also would charge to create fraudulent forms for people trying to get Social Security supplemental income benefits. The forms would describe fake medical histories or medical problems the applicants were suffering from.

The false statements on the migration form carries a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison, while the Social Security charge has a five-year prison term.

Source: Greg Moran, "Psychologist charged in bogus doc scheme," San Diego Union Tribune, April 13, 2012.