First Dominican-born NYS woman lawmaker pleads guilty to fraud, steps down

New York.- NY State lawmaker Gabriela Rosa, the first Dominican-born woman elected to the post in the diaspora’s political history, resigned her seat, after pleading guilty of marriage fraud in 1996,at Southern District Federal Court on Friday.

The Immigration and Custom Enforcement had charged her of fraud in filing for bankruptcy protection, and could face more than 10 years in prison.

"I’m resigning my post as Assemblywoman representing District 72 as of today," the Dominican-born leader, one of New York’s most prominent political figures in the Democratic Party in recent years, said in a statement.

"Although it saddens me to announce it with this news, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for trusting me with your vote and allowing me to become the first Dominican-American woman to be elected to the New York State Legislature," Rosa said.