LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Opening statements have begun in a trial of a Chinese national prosecutors said helped more than 50 people suspected of being in the country illegally get New Mexico driver's licenses.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that a jury on Monday heard statements in the trial of Hai Gan in U.S. District Court in Las Cruces.
The 56-year-old Texas resident has pleaded not guilty to 51 counts of fraud and eight counts of transporting undocumented, among other charges.
U.S. attorney Randy Castellano says the case is about pure greed.
But Gan's attorney, Francisco Ortiz, says his client believed he was acting within the law.
New Mexico law allows immigrants, living in the country illegally but residents of the state, to get driver's licenses.