Spanish interpreter pleads guilty to taking illegal payments

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Spanish language interpreter who worked for the Terrebonne Parish Public Defender Office has pleaded guilty to five counts involving solicitation of illegal payments from immigrants who arrived in this country without legal permission.

The Courier reports (https://bit.ly/1L3LdOk) 45-year-old Trina Bourg, who was to stand trial Monday, faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 per count. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan set sentencing for Nov. 4.

Court records say federal officials received information that Bourg was soliciting illegal payments from clients who were facing criminal charges and were subject to deportation.

Prosecutors say Bourg would initiate contact with the client or the client’s family, and say that for a certain amount of money she could bribe federal immigration officials to prevent prosecution or deportation.

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Information from: The Courier, https://www.houmatoday.com