Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

By Karen Lee Ziner
Journal staff writer

PROVIDENCE -- A government witness testifying today at the trial of a former Registry clerk said he fraudulently obtained a driver's license for $2,300 from a man he knew only as "Oscar," without ever setting foot into the Division of Motor Vehicles or taking a driving test.

The witness, Jose Bueno, testified at the trial of former Dolores Rodriguez-Laflamme, a former DMV clerk who is charged with issuing bogus licenses for as much as $2,700 to dozens of illegal immigrants and criminals looking to mask their true identities.

Bueno, who works in demolition and asbestos removal, said he was directed to "Oscar" by some men he met at a Providence car repair shop.

"He (Oscar) told me it was gonna be $2,300. That's a lot of money but I really needed the license."

Bueno, a legal permanent resident, said poor reading skills prevented him from passing the written license exam to get a license legitimately. "I tried many times but failed," he said under questioning by Asst. U.S. Atty. Richard W. Rose. He said he'd been stopped so many times for driving without a license, that he sought to obtain one illegally.

Bueno said he told Oscar, "I needed a license to travel to work. He told me, 'Well, I can help you with that.'"

Bueno said he provided Oscar his true name, date of birth and Social Security number, then paid him in cash installments, over a period of weeks, during which he first received a paper temporary license, then a Rhode Island license.

Bueno, a legal permanent resident, said he entered a plea agreement with the government that allowed him to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge - rather than a felony - to avoid deportation.

 Tags  Division of Motor Vehicles

Comments

MIKE ANTONELLI said:

I DON,T BLAME THE GUY WHO GOT HIS LICENSES THAT WAY ANYONE WOULD!

Link | November 8, 2008 8:04 AM
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