CINCINNATI -- Federal authorities have charged 50 people in an alleged Cincinnati-based scheme to arrange sham marriages to evade U.S. immigration laws.
Authorities unsealed the indictments Tuesday of 23 people they say are in the country illegally and 27 U.S. citizens involved in sham marriages.
Federal officials say all 50 suspects are charged with marriage fraud, 49 are charged with making false written statements and 39 are charged with making false representations.
Each crime is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a fine. Those in the country illegally also face deportation.
Authorities say illegal immigrants paid fees to U.S. citizens and leaders of the operation to arrange marriages and create false marriage and immigration documents.
The ongoing investigation led to 10 indictments in March.
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