AG Shuts Down Legal Services Business
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott ordered an El Paso district court to shut down an immigration legal advice business whose owner is accused defrauding customers in El Paso County.
According to a news release issued by Abbott’s office, Alejandro Lazcano — owner of Lazcano & Asociados — was charged with unlawfully providing legal advice and document preparation services, and violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The state is also seeking a permanent injunction against Lazcano and civil penalties of up to $20,000 per violation.
According to court documents filed by the state, Lazcano claimed to be an immigration attorney authorized to provide legal advice and document preparation services. However, the release said, Lazcano is neither a licensed attorney nor is he accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Board of Immigration Appeals, which is a federal agency empowered to license immigration service providers.
According to state investigators, Lazcano advertised his business by circulating his business cards in a local restaurant and posting advertisements on Internet blogs and on Craigslist ads, where he claimed he could help clients with laser visas, work and tourist visas and permanent resident applications, the release said.
According to the release, Lazcano — a graduate of a Texas law school — is currently subject to community supervision and is registered as a sex offender. In 2003, he was found guilty of attempted sexual assault in Travis County.
Former or current clients of an unauthorized legal services scam should file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-252-8011 or to file online Link:click here.
