Woman admits fraud in adoptions

Associated Press

SEATTLE — A Kaua'i woman accused of fraud in arranging American adoptions of Cambodian children pleaded guilty to federal charges Wednesday.

Lauryn Galindo, 52, of Hanalei, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud, conspiracy to launder money and "structuring" — purchasing $30,000 worth of cashier's checks in amounts under $10,000 to avoid federal bank-reporting requirements.

At issue are 18 adoptions — among hundreds in which Galindo was involved since the early 1990s — arranged between 1997 and 2001.

Galindo represented the children as orphans when she knew they had "at least one living parent," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lord said.

At her scheduled Sept. 24 sentencing, Galindo could face as much as 20 years in prison, but federal public defender Colin Feiman said he anticipates a "significantly lower" sentence.