Defendants plead “not guilty” in alleged consular scam

by Emil Sanamyan

Published: Friday August 28, 2009

The Ronald Reagan federal building in Santa Ana, where pleas were entered. Dept. of Justice

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U.S. charges two former Armenian consular staff members in Los Angeles (updated)

Washington - Five individuals, including two former staff members at the Armenian Consulate in Los Angeles, have entered "not guilty" pleas in four separate cases in which they are charged with conspiracy to obstruct U.S. immigration proceedings.

The pleas were entered at the federal court in Santa Ana, Calif., on August 24, The Associated Press reported the same day citing Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandy Leal.

All defendants have been released on bail, pending trial, which is due to begin on October 6 following a status conference in late September.