Odessa Lawyer Admits Making False Statement to Federal Authorities

Rahul Malhotra, 46-year-old principal owner of Malhotra Law Firm, P.C. in Odessa and citizen of Canada, faces up to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty today to making a false statement to federal authorities announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez, El Paso Division. 

Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Henry J. Bemporad in San Antonio, Malhotra admittedly lied to federal authorities about his ownership of the law firm--a violation of his Visa conditions.  According to court records, in March 1997, Malhotra entered the United States as a Non-immigrant “TN” Visa holder to begin working at a law firm in Odessa.  In 2000, Malhotra purchased the practice and the office space from its owner.  When questioned in October 2014, Malhotra told investigators that another lawyer was the majority shareholder of the Malhotra Law Firm when in fact, he was self-employed as the proprietor of the law firm.

Malhotra remains on bond pending sentencing scheduled for 9:00am on November 17, 2016, before United States District Judge Orlando Garcia.

This investigation was conducted by HSI agents together with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration authorities.  Assistant United States Attorney William F. Lewis, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.