DMV Employees Arrested In Bribery Investigation
Investigators: Suspects Took Money To License Illegal Immigrants
POSTED: 11:04 a.m. MST November 6, 2001
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. -- The state of Colorado plans to investigate driver's licenses issued from its Glenwood Springs office after the arrest of a Division of Motor Vehicles employee accused of taking money to supply licenses to illegal immigrants.
Patricia Jane Kay, 50, of Silt, Colo. was arrested recently on suspicion of bribery, forgery, issuing a false certificate, first-degree official misconduct, and conspiracy.
Virginia J. Escalante, 44, and her husband, Fernando C. Escalante, 32, both of Rifle, Colo. were arrested on the same charges. All three were released on $30,000 bonds.
Kay was a full-time employee of the DMV. The Escalantes worked as third-party testers, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue in Denver.
Kay is suspected of falsifying illegal immigrants' paperwork so that they could legally obtain a driver's license in Colorado. Police allege the Escalantes also falsified driving-test results for the same recipients.
At least two driver's licenses were issued, said police Lt. Lou Vallario. Recipients were charged between $400 to $1,500 for a license. The normal fee for a Colorado driver's license is $15.60.
The Department of Motor Vehicles has been working on a policy that will begin next July in which the agency will review the backgrounds of first-time applicants before issuing a driver's license.
Patricia Jane Kay, 50, of Silt, Colo. was arrested recently on suspicion of bribery, forgery, issuing a false certificate, first-degree official misconduct, and conspiracy.
Virginia J. Escalante, 44, and her husband, Fernando C. Escalante, 32, both of Rifle, Colo. were arrested on the same charges. All three were released on $30,000 bonds.
Kay was a full-time employee of the DMV. The Escalantes worked as third-party testers, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue in Denver.
Kay is suspected of falsifying illegal immigrants' paperwork so that they could legally obtain a driver's license in Colorado. Police allege the Escalantes also falsified driving-test results for the same recipients.
At least two driver's licenses were issued, said police Lt. Lou Vallario. Recipients were charged between $400 to $1,500 for a license. The normal fee for a Colorado driver's license is $15.60.
The Department of Motor Vehicles has been working on a policy that will begin next July in which the agency will review the backgrounds of first-time applicants before issuing a driver's license.Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
