Full Breakdown
Former USCIS Official and Associate Charged in $960,000 Immigration Bribery Scheme
9/7/2026, 12:57:11 PM
Alleged Scheme and Federal Charges
Former senior U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu and his financial associate Adeniyi Akeem Somoye were arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities by a public official. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas alleges the pair operated a multi-year scheme from December 2019 through March 2026, accepting nearly $960,000 in bribes to manipulate and expedite immigration benefit applications, including naturalization (Form N-400) and permanent-resident petitions (Forms I-130, I-485, I-751).
Investigation Findings
Prosecutors say Ganiyu used his position to bypass standard USCIS procedures—skipping criminal background checks, interviews, supervisory reviews, and jurisdictional limits. He allegedly rerouted cases from field offices in Minneapolis, Charlotte and Houston so he could approve them directly. Somoye acted as the financial intermediary, processing roughly $1.7 million in transfers through bank accounts, Zelle and Cash App, and depositing $449,010 in cash.
Investigators recovered thousands of WhatsApp messages and hundreds of phone calls linking the defendants to numerous applicants, most of whom were from African countries. Court documents indicate Ganiyu received about $671,438 via Zelle and Cash App and $287,830 in cash deposits intended to conceal the source of the funds.
Financial Details
- Total alleged bribe amount: ? $960,000 (combined payments to Ganiyu).
- Money processed by Somoye: ? $1.7 million in transfers; $449,010 deposited in cash.
- Communication evidence: thousands of WhatsApp messages and hundreds of calls during the charged period.
Official Statements & Responses
U.S. FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock warned that the alleged manipulation undermines the integrity of a process essential to national security.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Selling immigration benefits for cash is a blatant abuse of public trust,” — U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould
- “Selling immigration benefits for cash is a blatant abuse of public trust. When a federal official puts a price tag on lawful status, we will intervene immediately. Public corruption will never be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas.” — U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould
- “The alleged manipulation of immigration decisions for personal gain undermines the integrity of a process essential to our national security,” — FBI Dallas Special Agent
- “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to holding accountable anyone who abuses their position of trust,” — Charge R. Joseph Rothrock
Legal Proceedings and Potential Penalties
Both defendants made their initial court appearances on September 2. If convicted, each faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The case was investigated by the USCIS Office of Investigations, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, and the FBI Dallas Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham of the Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.
Timeline
- December 2019 – March 2026 – Alleged bribery scheme operates.
- August 31 – Federal criminal complaint filed.
- September 2 – Arrests and initial court appearances.
The allegations remain unproven; the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
