You are reading

Rego Park Non-Profit Leader Pleads Guilty to Visa Fraud Scheme, Faces 10 Years in Prison

March 5, 2019  By Meghan Sackman

A Rego Park woman who ran a non profit music award organization pleaded guilty on Monday to having helped bring Armenian nationals into the U.S. by falsely claiming they were musicians eligible for visas.

Stella Boyadjian, 48, ran Big Apple Music Awards Foundation Inc. whose mission is “to recognize excellence and create a greater public awareness of the cultural diversity of Central Asian, Caucasian and Middle Eastern recording artists,” according to its Facebook page.

Boyadjian, along with a group of conspirators, charged Armenian nationals fees of up to $10,000 to prepare and file fake P-3 visas for them to enter and stay in the country, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

Boyadjian falsely told United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that the nationals were members of a traditional Armenian performance group and therefore qualified for the visas as “culturally unique” entertainers.

The Brooklyn federal attorney also said that Boyadjian, between 2013 and 2014, purchased fake documents to back the visa applications, like fake dance certificates and staged photos of the Armenian immigrants in costume to appear to be folk dancers.

Some of the nationals, who made it successfully into the U.S., paid additional fees to Boyadjian and the conspirators in order to extend their stay.

Boyadjian pled guilty in Brooklyn Federal Court to conspiracy to bring aliens unlawfully into the United States, visa fraud, and aggravated identity theft, and faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.

 

email the author: news@queenspost.com

4 Comments

Click for Comments 
obro

you should probably brush up on your geography—Armenia is not in Eastern Europe.

10
1
Reply
Sara Ross

Somebody from Eastern Europe living in Rego Park committing a crime? So what else is new?

7
11
Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Finding Room to Grow: NYC Apartment Buildings Designed with Families in Mind

Jul. 29, 2025 By Tara Lustberg

Finding family-friendly housing in NYC can be a challenge, especially with the average rent of a two-bedroom apartment in NYC averaging over $5,400 per month, according to apartments.com. According to reports, this is significantly higher (148%) than the national average and has increased by 7% since December 2023. But some properties offer thoughtful amenities for families, making city living seem more manageable.

Unwind after hours at these cozy Queens cafes

Jul. 25, 2025 By Jessica Militello

Forget the bars and crowded clubs — Queens is brimming with charming cafes that keep their doors open well past sunset, offering a perfect alternative for those who want to meet up for a late-night hangout without the alcohol. From authentic Yemeni coffee houses to bakeries with outdoor garden patios, check out these Queens cafes for your next late-night catch-up with friends, or for a cozy date night plan.

Cool off this summer with margaritas in Queens

Jul. 25, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

The summer season ushers in outdoor adventures, extended daylight hours and sweltering heat, making it the perfect time to kick back at a local restaurant or bar and order a refreshing margarita. Sipping on this tequila-infused cocktail is one of the best ways to beat the heat and revel with margarita connoisseurs in your neighborhood.

A slice of legacy: Carlo’s Pizzeria keeps Sicilian tradition alive in Middle Village

Jul. 18, 2025 By Christy Hinko

On Metropolitan Avenue, between 74th and 75th streets in Middle Village, Carlo’s Pizzeria isn’t just a place to grab a slice — it’s a place where history is folded into every piece of dough, sauce and cheese. The beloved neighborhood pizzeria has been serving Queens for nearly 60 years, now led by third-generation owner Anthony Caruana, who proudly carries forward the dream his grandfather brought from Sicily.