Attorney General Sues False Lawyers who Deceived Immigrants

FRAUD COMMITED IN COLORADO SPRINGS

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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Attorney General Phil Weiser is seeking a court order to stop the owner of a Colorado Springs-based company from practicing law without a license and deceptively advertising that it is qualified to provide family and immigration legal services. An investigation by the Colorado Department of Law uncovered evidence that Maleni Munguia and her company, One Connection LLC, as well as employee Noely Diaz, targeted and misled vulnerable communities.

Munguia and Diaz targeted undocumented and non-English speaking individuals by failing to disclose that their business is not authorized to practice law in Colorado. Munguia and Diaz are also accused of failing to perform promised services and prepare legal filings, as well as making errors that jeopardized their customers’ legal interests. Under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, individuals must obtain all required licenses to perform services for clients. 

The act prohibits nonlawyers from advising or assisting another person in determining his or her immigration status, applying for an immigration benefit, and preparing and selecting legal documents affecting the right of another in an immigration matter. “Individuals must be licensed to practice law in the state of Colorado. These deceptive practices risk the safety and livelihood of individuals struggling to navigate emotional and complex legal situations.”

Recidivist

Weiser continues, “My office will hold accountable those who misrepresent their professional credentials and target and harm vulnerable communities.” This is not the first time that Munguia and One Connection have practiced law without a license. In 2016, the Colorado Supreme Court’s Office of Attorney Regulation investigated Munguia and her company for advertising that they were “authorized to select and prepare immigration, divorce, and bankruptcy forms for clients.” 

Following the investigation, Munguia agreed to refrain from any further actions constituting the unauthorized practice of law in Colorado. However, she failed to comply with the agreement and continued to advertise and practice law without a license. In a lawsuit filed in El Paso County District Court, Weiser is seeking an injunction ordering Munguia and One Connection to immediately refrain from unlawfully practicing law.