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Briton jailed over US visa scam Briton jailed over US visa scam
(about 1 hour later)
A Norfolk businessman has been sentenced to 15 months in a US jail after pleading guilty to forging the US visa applications of British families.A Norfolk businessman has been sentenced to 15 months in a US jail after pleading guilty to forging the US visa applications of British families.
Michael Leggett pleaded guilty in a Florida court to two counts of conspiracy to commit visa fraud earlier this year.Michael Leggett pleaded guilty in a Florida court to two counts of conspiracy to commit visa fraud earlier this year.
A BBC investigation had revealed how Mr Leggett promised to set up 26 British families with a new life in America.A BBC investigation had revealed how Mr Leggett promised to set up 26 British families with a new life in America.
He took some $2.6m (£1.3bn) from the families to get them business visas. He took some $2.6m (£1.3m) from the families to get them business visas.
However, he failed to produce any visas and victims showed the BBC that he had forged signatures and other information on their application forms to the US Embassy in the UK.However, he failed to produce any visas and victims showed the BBC that he had forged signatures and other information on their application forms to the US Embassy in the UK.
Within days of the BBC Radio 5 Live programme being broadcast in January, Mr Leggett attempted to leave his home near Orlando and return to the UK, but was arrested and charged with visa fraud.Within days of the BBC Radio 5 Live programme being broadcast in January, Mr Leggett attempted to leave his home near Orlando and return to the UK, but was arrested and charged with visa fraud.
Guilty pledgeGuilty pledge
Mr Leggett is a former double glazing salesman from Norwich and falsely claimed to be running a thriving business in Norfolk when he obtained a US business visa himself in 2003.Mr Leggett is a former double glazing salesman from Norwich and falsely claimed to be running a thriving business in Norfolk when he obtained a US business visa himself in 2003.
In fact, his company went into liquidation with £500,000 in debts.In fact, his company went into liquidation with £500,000 in debts.
He then created a company called Royal Development, which sold the dream of living and working in Florida.He then created a company called Royal Development, which sold the dream of living and working in Florida.
In return for an investment of up $250,000 in his property company he claimed he could obtain a much sought after E2 business visa for his customers.In return for an investment of up $250,000 in his property company he claimed he could obtain a much sought after E2 business visa for his customers.
Mr Leggett admitted forging a dozen visa applications on behalf of investors during his court appearance.Mr Leggett admitted forging a dozen visa applications on behalf of investors during his court appearance.
The 52-year-old must serve three months in community detention and three months in home detention upon his release from prison.The 52-year-old must serve three months in community detention and three months in home detention upon his release from prison.
He is then expected to be deported to the UK.He is then expected to be deported to the UK.