Prosecutors said Choi abused a program that grants green cards for permanent U.S. residency to undocumented workers whose employers can certify they have skills not otherwise available in the labor force.
ELSEWHERE
Caught red-handed
An 11-year-old boy got off a school bus Wednesday outside a TD Bank in Gloucester City, N.J., and spotted a man grappling with a dye bomb that was spraying him with red powder.
The man had received the bomb from a teller who had sneaked it into his loot when he held up the bank about 3 p.m., police said. When cops arrived, the boy was able to tell them where the man went, and they arrested Steven Hill, 54, of Gloucester City, and charged him with robbery.
No background check
Officials of the New Jersey Education Department say 183 school board members received letters this week notifying them that they must vacate their posts for failing to submit to criminal-background checks required under a new state law.
Department spokesman Justin Barra said the letters of ineligibility will be rescinded for anyone who cleared a background check before the letters went out. And he said members who clear background checks after getting the letter still may be reappointed by county school superintendents.
In the meantime, superintendents are to begin appointing replacement board members. School board members and charter-school trustees had to complete the reviews by Dec. 31.
'Bath salts' ban backed
The Delaware Senate has unanimously approved a bill outlawing designer drugs often referred to as bath salts.
The bill cleared the Senate with little discussion yesterday as lawmakers seek to hurriedly enact a permanent ban on the drugs.
Delaware authorities imposed an emergency rule last fall outlawing bath salts, but the rule is temporary and will expire soon.
Authorities say chemicals used to make bath salts can produce effects similar to those of cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine, and can lead to dangerous, violent and suicidal behavior.
The bill now goes to the Delaware House.
600G worth of pot
Pennsylvania State Police say a routine traffic stop in Lancaster County led to the seizure of 200 pounds of high-grade marijuana. A Texas woman and a California man were in custody following their arrests Tuesday in East Cocalico Township.
Troopers say they recovered seven duffel bags of marijuana valued at more than $600,000 after pulling over two vehicles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Investigators say an SUV was closely following a truck towing a boat, leading to the two vehicles' being stopped separately.
Troopers arrested Deborah Finn, of Austin, Texas, and Harland Hendricks Jr., of El Dorado, Calif. Troopers said they also found three loaded handguns and $40,000 in cash in the vehicles.
- Staff and wire reports
