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The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) has provided critical investigative work to assist the Office of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón in charging a 56-year-old woman with scamming more than a dozen immigrants by pretending to be a consultant — and at times — an attorney.

Nubia Esmeralda Burrier was charged with 10 counts of grand theft and one count of first-degree residential burglary with a person present. For the past 14 years, Burrier met with victims at her office across the street from the U.S. Immigration Court. She allegedly filed for political asylum on their behalf, even though she knew they were not eligible. She is also accused of rendering services never provided.

The case remains under investigation by the District Attorney’s Economic Justice and Notario Fraud Unit and DCBA, if you believe you have been defrauded, call the DCBA hotline at (800) 593-8222.

“We have seen time and time again predatory practices against the most vulnerable victims,” District Attorney Gascón said. “This person allegedly preyed upon immigrants who lacked the sophistication to navigate the immigration system. She was repeatedly told she could not legally provide immigration services, but, nevertheless, she ignored these warnings. These kinds of crimes cheat unassuming people out of their hard-earned money and endanger their immigration status.”

“This allegation proves that scams, fraud and abuse occur everywhere, and we urge the public to be extra vigilant of bad actors seeking to take advantage of people seeking help,” said DCBA Director Rafael Carbajal. “We encourage you to contact DCBA, if ever in doubt, to ensure that a provider is legitimate, for tips to prevent abuse, and for free resources available to County residents, including immigration defense.”

In total, Burrier allegedly stole $127,150 from 17 victims.

Read the District Attorney’s press release for more details in the case.

For clients of Nubia Esmeralda Burrier seeking to secure their client files, please call the State Bar’s bilingual phone line at (213) 765-1747.

Trabajo Investigativo del DCBA Ayuda Presentar Cargos Contra Servicios Fraudulentos de Inmigración

LOS ÁNGELES –  El Departamento de Servicios para Consumidores y Negocios (DCBA, las siglas en inglés) como parte de su cargo proveo asistencia investigativa para asistir la oficina del Fiscal del Condado de Los Ángeles George Gascón presentar cargos contra una mujer de 56 años por estafar más de una docena de inmigrantes por hacerse pasar como consultante autorizada y hasta a veces como abogada.

Nubia Esmeralda Burrier enfrenta 10 cargos en su contra de gran robo y un cargo de robo en primer grado residencial con persona presente. Durante los últimos 14 años, Burrier se reunió con víctimas en su oficina al otro lado de la calle de la Corte de Inmigración de los Estados Unidos. Se alega qué entregó peticiones de asilo político de parte de sus víctimas, aunque sabía que no eran elegibles para este beneficio migratorio. También es acusada de cobrar por servicios que nunca rindió.

El caso sigue bajo investigación de la Unidad de Fraude Notario y Justicia Económica del Fiscal de Distrito y DCBA. Si piensa que ha sido víctima de fraude, llame a la línea telefónica de DCBA al (800) 593-8222.

“Hemos visto tiempo tras tiempo prácticas predatorias contra las víctimas más vulnerables,” dijo el Fiscal Gascón. “Se alega que esta persona se aprovechó de los inmigrantes que no tenían el entendimiento para navegar el sistema migratorio. Se le avisó repetidamente que no podía proveer servicios de inmigración legalmente pero aún ignoro estas advertencias. Este tipo de crimen roba a personas modestas de su dinero que tanto les costó ganar y ponen en peligro su estado migratorio.”

“Esta alegación es prueba que estas estafas, fraude, y abuso ocurre en todos los lugares y se le urge al público más vigilancia de actores que buscan aprovecharse de la comunidad que busca ayuda,” dijo el Director del DCBA Rafael Carbajal. “Pedimos que se comuniquen con DCBA si tiene cualquier duda para asegurar que un proveedor es legítimo, información para prevenir abusos, y para servicios disponibles para los residentes del condado, incluso asesoramiento legal migratorio.”

En total, se alega que Burrier robó $127,150 de 17 víctimas.

Lea el comunicado del Fiscal para más detalles.

Para los clientes de Nubia Esmeralda Burrier que buscan obtener sus archivos de clientes, llame a la línea telefónica bilingüe del State Bar al (213) 765-1747.

The Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA), in the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA), stands ready to assist the immigrant detainees and family members who might be affected by a recent data breach by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, ICE posted to its website the names, birthdates, nationalities and detention locations of more than 6,000 people who are seeking asylum and currently in ICE custody.

This data breach could potentially endanger the safety of the people seeking asylum and their families. In a statement, ICE said they will be notifying the attorneys of the affected immigrants or the immigrants themselves of this data breach.

Immigrant detainees directly affected by this breach, and all immigrants in custody, should have access to reliable legal representation. In any immigration matter, it is important that immigrants receive advice and services only from a licensed attorney or federally accredited representative. Through the RepresentLA Program, OIA can help refer immigrants and their families in Los Angeles County to free or low-cost immigration legal services.

You can reach the Office of Immigrant Affairs by phone at 800-593-8222 or by visiting immigrants.lacounty.gov.

In high-profile cases of this nature, scammers will often to try to take advantage of uncertainty or disinformation to steal money or personal information from concerned people. For example, a scammer might try to reach out to a family member or someone else associated with an affected asylee to offer phony legal assistance. Others may use scare tactics to convince uninvolved immigrants that the data breach was more widespread.

Always work directly with licensed legal representatives and ignore unsolicited offers for assistance.

During any data breach, people directly affected and anyone else whose information might be compromised second-hand should take steps to protect their personal and financial information from possible identity theft. If applicable, review your credit report closely and consider a fraud alert if you believe your information has been stolen.

Contact DCBA at 800-593-8222 or visit dcba.lacounty.gov for more information about reducing the risk of identity theft.

La oficina de los asuntos de inmigrantes del condado de Los Ángeles ofrece apoyo para inmigrantes detenidos afectados por la filtración de datos  

La Oficina de Asuntos de Inmigrantes del Condado de Los Ángeles (OIA) en el Departamento de Asuntos al Consumidor y Negocios (DCBA) están listos para asistir inmigrantes detenidos y sus familiares afectados por la filtración de datos recientemente por el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de EE. UU. (ICE por sus siglas en inglés). De acuerdo de un reporte del periódico Los Angeles Times, ICE publicó los nombres, fechas de nacimiento, nacionalidades y ubicación de detención de más de 6000 personas en búsqueda de asilo o cuál están bajo custodia de ICE. 

Esta filtración de datos podrá exponer y peligrar la seguridad de los individuales aplicando por asilo y sus familias. ICE aviso que se comunicarán con los abogados de los inmigrantes afectados o los individuos mismos sobre la filtración de datos. 

Los detenidos afectados directamente por este incumplimiento y todos los inmigrantes en custodia deben de tener representación legal fidedigno. En cualquier asunto de inmigración es importante qué inmigrantes reciban servicios y aviso legal solamente de abogados licenciados o representantes acreditados al nivel federal. A través del programa RepresentLA, la oficina OIA puede ayudar referir inmigrantes y sus familias en el condado de Los Ángeles a servicios legales de inmigración gratis o de bajo costo. 

Se puede comunicar con la oficina de los asuntos de inmigrantes por teléfono al 800-593-8222 o por visitando immigrants.lacounty.gov. 

En casos de alto interés público de este tipo estafadores intentarán de aprovecharse de la incertidumbre o falta de información para robar dinero o información personal de las personas preocupadas. Por ejemplo, un estafador puede comunicarse con un miembro familiar o alguien asociado con un asilado afectado para proveer asistencia fraudulenta. Otros quizás usen tácticas para asustar y convencer a inmigrantes no afectados, que la filtración de datos ha afectado mucha más gente. 

Siempre trabaje directamente con representantes legales licenciados y no le haga caso a ofertas de asistencia que no ha solicitado. 

Durante cualquier filtración de datos los afectados directamente y otros cuya información ha sido comprometida debería tomar pasos para proteger su información personal y financiera contra posible robo de identidad. Si le aplica revise su reporte de crédito cuidadosamente y considere una alerta de fraude si cree que sus datos e información han sido robados. 

Comuníquese con DCBA al 800-593-8222 o visite dcba.lacounty.gov para más información para reducir el riesgo del robo de identidad. 

Ten nonprofits to receive first round of grants to strengthen their capacity to serve the County’s immigrant communities

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA), in the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA), celebrates National Immigrants Day on Friday, October 28, 2022, by recognizing 10 immigrant-focused Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) that are receiving capacity-strengthening grants made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Each organization will receive two-year grants of $150,000 and technical assistance as part of OIA’s Capacity Strengthening Grants for Immigrant Focused CBOs initiative.

These grants are the first round of OIA’s efforts to support CBOs that are focused on helping immigrants and their families recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. As more funds become available, OIA plans to provide similar grants to CBOs that serve immigrants throughout the LA County.

“Through the Office of Immigrant Affairs and ARP Act investments, we are ensuring that the vibrant communities we serve are able to thrive as we recover from the pandemic,” said DCBA’s Director Rafael Carbajal. “We look forward to the successful implementation of every recipient-organizations’ projects to advance our mutual missions.”

“The Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM) is honored to work with OIA and this group of nonprofit leaders over the next two years to build new skills and support their efforts to serve the many immigrant communities that enrich LA County and improve lives for so many,” said Regina Birdsell, CNM President and CEO.

Grants were made to the following immigrant-focused organizations for the following purposes:

• Al Otro Lado will expand and restructure case management services by hiring a social worker to focus on LGBTQ+, disabled, indigent, Kreyol-speaking, Indigenous language-speaking and Spanish-speaking individuals, among other marginalized groups.
• California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative will design communication strategies that reaffirm their strategic focus on racial justice and equity, Black/Asian solidarity, labor and employment rights, and securing a just economic recovery for the immigrant workforce.
• Community Lawyers, Inc. (CLI) will increase temporary program staffing so that leadership can engage in tailored technical assistance around long-term strategic visioning, planning and fundraising.
• Comunidades Indígenas en Liderazgo (CIELO) will strengthen leadership and infrastructure to attend to language justice needs and fight against the invisibility of indigenous people and the resulting language violence.
• Filipino Migrant Center will hire a bilingual Communications Coordinator and a bilingual Community Organizer to develop health education programs for low-income and working-class Filipino families in Los Angeles County.
• Korean American Coalition will fight against Asian hate, provide bilingual and culturally appropriate alternative dispute resolution, ongoing COVID-19 in-language outreach, leadership development for Korean American youth, and civic engagement campaigns.
• The Latino and Latina Roundtable will launch a pilot immigration program with temporary staff to coordinate immigration services and create programming and content to address the immediate needs of the immigrant community.
• Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (NHPI) Alliance will develop specific, operations-level programs, personnel, fund development, and volunteer management plans and support the Alliance in expanding their citizenship and immigration clinics.
• Refugee Children Center will support families unable to secure pro bono or low-cost representation in filing asylum applications or withholding removal and employment authorizations forms, thus increasing participants’ chances of securing legal representation.
• Saahas for Cause will improve, configure and train staff in data collection and management, as well as strengthen the capacity of the Board of Directors, especially around roles and responsibilities and data-driven decision-making.

The 10 grantees were honored by OIA and the LA County Board of Supervisors at a virtual recognition event on Friday. A recording of the event is available on DCBA’s YouTube page.

For more information about the initiative, visit cnmsocal.org/capacity-strengthening-grants-for-immigrant-focused-cbos/. For more resources and information provided by the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs, visit immigrants.lacounty.gov.

National Immigrants Day is a commemoration that began with an Act of Congress in 1987 to honor the contributions of immigrants both past and present. It is recognized on October 28, the day the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in 1886.

New public-private regional program is first-in-nation to include a holistic approach to support immigrant households

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County (County) Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) announce the completion of an agreement to launch RepresentLA, a program to provide immigration legal representation and link immigrants in Los Angeles County and their families to critical support services. The agreement is between OIA serving as the County administrator and CHIRLA as the lead contractor.

RepresentLA is a public-private partnership funded by the County, the City of Los Angeles, the California Community Foundation, and the Weingart Foundation. These partners worked together for more than a year to develop the program’s framework, applying lessons learned from their major investments in the immigration sector and input from nearly 100 public and community stakeholders.

A recent report by the UCLA Center for Immigration Law and Policy highlights the devastating consequences when children and adults in removal proceedings go unrepresented. As leaders from around the hemisphere meet in Los Angeles to discuss regional migration challenges at the Summit of the Americas, RepresentLA stands for the bold commitment local leaders have undertaken to expand access to counsel and eliminate other barriers to immigrant integration.

RepresentLA includes four pillars to provide services in the following areas: removal defense for persons in immigration detention, removal defense for non-detained immigrants, affirmative immigration relief representation, and community support for clients and families during their immigration process. The community support pillar aims to ensure that historically underserved immigrant communities receive access to legal representation and connect clients and their families to holistic support services such as healthcare, housing resources, and wage protections. Anticipated additional funding from the County’s Department of Health Services will provide immigrants who are homeless or at high risk of becoming homeless with immigration legal representation, the first-of-its-kind effort in the nation.

To build and deliver these services, CHIRLA will partner with Immigrant Defenders Law Center for removal defense services, and the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) for affirmative immigration relief services. These two organizations will work with CHIRLA to subcontract several other non-profit legal and social service providers to implement the full program in the coming months.

CHIRLA will release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Removal Defense Direct Representation Services in the coming days. CHIRLA will subsequently release an RFP to onboard community support providers and legal service providers to represent vulnerable immigrant populations to apply for various forms of affirmative immigration relief, including: immigrants experiencing homelessness, asylum seekers, survivors of labor trafficking and other severe workplace exploitation, and minors eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Following these competitive application processes to onboard service providers, RepresentLA is expected to begin accepting clients in the summer of 2022.

More information regarding RepresentLA, including how to become a collaborating partner, will be available within a week at: representla.org or immigrants.lacounty.gov.

Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) hosted a community resource fair for Unaccompanied Minors and their sponsors when an unexpected sight may have been encountered. Artist Phung Huynh, has always had a passion for art and its ability to spark conversations about culture, customs, and representation, and continues to share her craft nationally and internationally. Huynh was selected as DCBA’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) Artist and Creative Strategist through an innovative program created by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture which uses art to explore creative solutions to complex challenges.

At a Welcome Fair at East Los Angeles College, Phung Huynh creates a welcoming environment that encourages expression through art and displays attendee artwork.

Huynh proudly recalls the moment a child visited a community fair booth three times because they wanted to express themselves through art. Reflecting on her selection for the post, she says: “I am honored and privileged at the chance to make an impact through art and working with the community. I help uplift the narratives of those we serve.”

“This is a perfect opportunity to connect art to OIA. My work contributes to immigrants feeling welcome and safe in a festive and fun environment,” she said. The latter an intentional recognition on her part that all residents deserve joy.

As a Southeast Asian refugee, Huynh found peace, solace, guidance and belonging through a neighbor’s connection to art and the Cambodian diaspora by way of Paris, France.

Those in Los Angeles have a limited opportunity to see Huynh’s work in her latest exhibit Donut (W)hole at Self Help Graphics and Art which opened on March 12, 2022 and runs through May 27, 2022. It explores the nexus between the Cambodian and Vietnamese refugee experience and donut shops through a unique medium – the synonymous pink boxes popularized by these shops.

Huynh shares that this exhibit is for everyone of all ages. Those that relate to the California experience and who visit donut shops regularly will reminisce. This exhibit is also for those that have sensed “a feeling of other” or “not able to find their name.” She says it honors the names and histories of refugees in pursuit of their own American dream.

Attendees are strongly encouraged to pre-register for this event at selfhelpgraphics.eventbrite.com as this exhibit has garnered extensive coverage on local television, digital, and food-based news outlets.

Donut (W)hole exhibition attendees create artwork that reflects their cultural identity.

Those who attend the exhibit might make comparisons to public works of art, and rightly so. Huynh’s distinct style and prominence has been rewarded with opportunities to share her work at Metro light rail stations, Los Angeles Zoo and other Los Angeles County facilities. Those works, as well as her future works and exhibits can be found at phunghuynh.com.

Whether through a traditional art exhibit or helping children find their artistic philosophy, Phung Huynh excitedly looks forward to the next opportunity that intertwines the power of expression, reflection, and hope.

Finding accurate and up-to-date information from trusted sources is a challenge for many Immigrants in Los Angeles County. Despite the devastating impact of the 2020 economic crisis on immigrant households, new research from the Urban Institute demonstrates that 1 out of 4 adults in low-income immigrant families avoided government benefit programs and other assistance because of immigration concerns. The Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA), part of the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, is rising to the challenge to deliver critical information directly to LA County’s immigrants through a new, groundbreaking private-public initiative.

Through the Immigrant Essential Workers Public Charge Outreach and Education Program, the OIA will partner with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) to train and deploy a cohort of trusted, culturally and linguistically competent community navigators. These navigators will educate the community about accessing LA County services and how use of these vital resources relates to the federal government’s public charge rules.

The Community Navigators program is funded by a grant from Blue Shield of California Foundation, with critical support from Weingart Foundation and California Community Foundation.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have seen how important it is for residents, regardless of immigration status, to receive information in a culturally linguistic and competent manner through the Promotores program,” shared Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Hilda L. Solis. “I am confident the Community Navigators program can achieve that same level of success and create a positive impact by increasing access to essential County services in a culturally sensitive way.”

“All immigrants and their families deserve to be safe and comfortable when accessing the County resources they need,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “We’re proud to provide this program to help vulnerable communities during these challenging times.”

“Years of surviving and fighting immigrant-bashing, as well as multiple deportations, have fostered understandable fear among our immigrant neighbors, with the result that 1 in 4 are reluctant to apply for services to which they are entitled,” said Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “Every immigrant in LA County has the right to receive resources, regardless of immigration status. That’s why this program is so important. It creates a safe space so that people who would greatly benefit from services can take advantage of them without fear.”

“The economic challenges of the past 18 months have affected people in all walks of life, including immigrants in Los Angeles County,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Available programs are there to provide help, but only if people feel safe and secure enough to access them. This initiative should help immigrants bridge that gap and get the boost they need.”

“By wisely leveraging public-private partnerships, I applaud County departments, agencies and partner organizations for stepping up to provide critical assistance to vulnerable communities while we collaboratively maintain fiscal responsibility for all of our residents,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

“Educating the community is a critical component of our department’s mission,” said Rafael Carbajal, Director, LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs. “We are thrilled to bring together a partnership from public, private, and nonprofit sectors to provide the best, most reliable education to our County’s most vulnerable.”

“Fear runs deep in immigrant communities about using County support services,” said Rigo Reyes, Executive Director, LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs. “These trusted community-based navigators are essential to heal immigrants’ concerns and help them access the services they and their families need.”

“Too many California communities are facing the compounding impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and immigration policy changes,” said Carolyn Wang Kong, Chief Program Director at Blue Shield of California Foundation. “Wherever possible, we need to support trusted community messengers in bringing accurate, actionable information to communities who need it most, so that they can access the public benefits for which they are eligible and that can help ensure healthier futures.”

“We are so pleased to partner with the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs office in order to better assist immigrant families access the services and programs available to them. At a time when so many people feel forgotten and alone, our navigators will bring hope and guidance thanks to this well-thought and proactive initiative,” said Angelica Salas, CHIRLA Executive Director.

“It is crucial for us to protect our immigrant communities,” said Miguel A. Santana, President and CEO of the Weingart Foundation. “Many immigrants are frontline workers, healthcare professionals, and domestic and agriculture workers who have sustained our region throughout the pandemic. That’s why we’re proud to support LA County’s new Community Navigator program, which will help immigrant communities access vital safety net programs during this challenging time.”

About Blue Shield of California Foundation

Blue Shield of California Foundation is one of the state’s largest and most trusted grantmaking organizations. Our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians, particularly the underserved, by making health care accessible, effective, and affordable, and by ending domestic violence. For more information, visit: www.blueshieldcafoundation.org.

If a loved one has died this year because of COVID-19—even if the deceased was undocumented—you might be eligible to receive financial help for their funeral expenses.

Los Angeles County residents can now apply through FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program. To be eligible for funeral assistance, LA County residents must meet all of these FEMA established conditions:

• The death must have occurred in the United States.
• The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or a qualified non-citizen who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.

LA County encourages eligible applicants to call FEMA’s Funeral Assistance Line at 844-684-6333 between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m, or visit FEMA.gov for additional information.

From March 9, 2021

Extensive, years-long investigative work by the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) assisting the Office of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has resulted in a $10.5 million partial settlement against Los Angeles-based retailer Curacao for business practices that unlawfully harmed primarily Spanish-speaking immigrant consumers and their families.

The settlement resolves multiple allegations included in a 2017 lawsuit filed by the Attorney General against Adir International, the parent company of Curacao, and its owner Ron Azarkman. The lawsuit alleged that Curacao lured in customers by advertising low prices and easy credit, then informed those consumers they could only buy at the advertised price after purchasing ancillary accessories, warranties, or installation services. In other cases, Curacao added items to payment contracts without the customers’ knowledge.

DCBA investigators spent hundreds of hours interviewing dozens of Curacao’s affected customers, nearly all of whom are Latino immigrants with low incomes who communicate primarily in Spanish, to collect and provide crucial evidence to support the Attorney General’s lawsuit and eventual settlement.

“Immigrants in Los Angeles County, particularly those whose primary language is something other than English, face significant challenges every day. The least they can expect is to be treated fairly and lawfully by businesses that serve and market to them in their preferred language,” said DCBA Director Rafael Carbajal. “We are pleased that the Attorney General has secured relief for consumers who need it most, and that we were able to play our part to help keep the marketplace fair for both consumers and businesses which properly follow the law.”

If you believe you’ve been a victim of unlawful practices by any business, please contact DCBA at (800) 593-8222 or file a complaint online at dcba.lacounty.gov. DCBA provides free, one-on-one support for all residents of Los Angeles County and customers of Los Angeles County businesses.

As part of the Attorney General’s announcement, Curacao must provide $10 million in debt relief for consumers who were harmed by their conduct. The settlement also includes additional debt forgiveness for customers who are still paying Curacao for unlawful small claims judgments, plus $500,000 in civil penalties. The settlement also includes injunctive terms requiring Curacao to comply with California law and treat its customers fairly and ethically. Those terms include:

• Curacao stores will prominently display a consumers’ bill of rights;
• Curacao must sell items as they are advertised, and must provide additional disclosures in its advertising;
• Senior management will review Curacao’s advertising for compliance with the court judgment;
• Curacao must fully disclose all material contract terms before asking customers to sign contracts;
• Curacao must provide customers with a contract in their language before asking them to sign;
• Debt collection efforts will be limited to one phone communication per day with delinquent consumers;
• Curacao will stop debt collection activities against, and clear the credit records for, consumers who had default judgments entered against them in unlawful small claims actions;
• A corporate ethics expert will help Curacao create and maintain an effective sales incentive, compliance, and ethics program that incentivizes lawful behavior, and that includes annual ethical culture surveys and assessments; and
• Curacao will regularly report its compliance to the Attorney General for several years and provide access to its records for review.

The settlement is a stipulated judgment that resolves part of the state’s lawsuit against Curacao. Unresolved claims related to Curacao’s illegal payment protection plans and insurance practices will be tried in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Investigación de DCBA concluye en un acuerdo de $ 10.5 millones para consumidores inmigrantes latinos perjudicados por un comerciante popular

El Fiscal General de California Llega a un Acuerdo Parcial Con Curacao en Una Demanda Alegando Múltiples Prácticas Comerciales Ilegales

Una investigación extensa, tras años de trabajo del Departamento de Servicios para Consumidores y Negocios del Condado de Los Ángeles (DCBA) asistiendo a la Oficina del Fiscal General de California, Xavier Becerra, ha dado como resultado un acuerdo parcial de $ 10.5 millones. contra Curacao, una cadena de tiendas basado en Los Ángeles, por las prácticas comerciales ilegales que principalmente dañaron a los consumidores inmigrantes hispanohablantes y a sus familias.

El acuerdo resuelve múltiples acusaciones incluidas en una demanda presentada en el 2017 por el Fiscal General contra Adir International, la empresa matriz de Curacao, y su propietario Ron Azarkman. La demanda alega que Curacao atrajo a los clientes anunciando precios bajos y crédito fácil, y luego informando a esos consumidores que solo podían comprar al precio anunciado después de comprar accesorios auxiliares, garantías o servicios de instalación. En otros casos, Curacao agregó artículos a los contratos de pago sin el conocimiento del consumidor.

Los investigadores de DCBA pasaron cientos de horas entrevistando a docenas de clientes afectados por Curacao, la mayoría de ellos siendo inmigrantes latinos de bajos ingresos que se comunican principalmente en español, para coleccionar y proporcionar evidencia crucial para respaldar la demanda del Fiscal General e informo el acuerdo eventual.

“Los inmigrantes en el Condado de Los Ángeles, particularmente aquellos cuyo idioma principal no es inglés, enfrentan retos significantes diariamente. Lo mínimo que deberían esperar es ser tratados de manera justa y legal por las empresas que los sirven y hacen llegar anuncios en su idioma preferido,” dijo Rafael Carbajal, el director del Departamento de Servicios para Consumidores Y Negocios del Condado de Los Ángeles. “Estamos contentos de que el Fiscal General haya asegurado compensación para los consumidores que más lo necesitan, y que pudimos desempeñar nuestro papel para ayudar a mantener un mercado justo tanto para los consumidores como para las empresas que cumplen debidamente con la ley.”

Si cree que ha sido víctima de prácticas ilegales por parte de cualquier empresa, por favor comuníquese con DCBA al (800) 593-8222 o presente una queja en línea en dcba.lacounty.gov. DCBA brinda asistencia personalizada y gratuita para todos los residentes y consumidores del condado de Los Ángeles, independientemente de su estado migratorio.

Según el anuncio del Fiscal General, Curacao debe proporcionar $10 millones en alivio de la deuda para los consumidores que resultaron perjudicados por la conducta de la compañía. El acuerdo también incluye el perdón de deudas adicionales para los clientes que todavía están haciendo pagos a Curacao por juicios de reclamos menores obtenidos ilegalmente, más $500,000 en multas civiles. El acuerdo también incluye medidas cautelares que requieren que Curacao cumpla con la ley de California y trate a sus clientes de manera justa y ética. Esos términos incluyen:

• Las tiendas de Curacao exhibirán de manera prominente una declaración de derechos de los consumidores;
• Curacao debe vender los artículos tal como se anuncian y debe proporcionar divulgaciones adicionales en su publicidad;
• La alta gerencia revisará la publicidad de Curacao para verificar el cumplimiento de la sentencia judicial;
• Curacao debe revelar completamente todos los términos materiales del contrato antes de pedir a los clientes que firmen contratos;
• Curacao debe proporcionar a los clientes un contrato en su idioma antes de pedirles que lo firmen;
• Los esfuerzos de cobranza de deudas se limitarán a una comunicación telefónica por día con los consumidores morosos;
• Curacao detendrá las actividades de cobro de deudas y limpiará los registros de crédito de los consumidores a los que se les haya dictado sentencias por incumplimiento en acciones ilegales de reclamos menores;
• Un experto en ética corporativa ayudará a Curacao a crear y mantener un programa eficaz de incentivos de ventas, cumplimiento y ética que fomente el comportamiento legal y que incluya encuestas y evaluaciones anuales de cultura ética; y
• Curacao informará periódicamente su cumplimiento al Fiscal General a lo largo varios años y proporcionará acceso a sus registros para su revisión.

El acuerdo es un juicio estipulado que resuelve parte de la demanda del Estado contra Curacao. Los reclamos no resueltos relacionados con los planes de protección de pagos ilegales y las prácticas de seguros de Curacao serán juzgados en el Tribunal Superior de Los Ángeles.

El acuerdo de hoy se documenta en un juicio parcial estipulado que está disponible aquí.