<http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/state/ny-bc-ct--illegallicenses0115jan15,0,6884979,print.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut> Driver's license scandals raise national security worries By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN Associated Press Writer January 15, 2005, 5:30 PM EST BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Tracy Lucas-Stevenson earned $40,000 as a state motor vehicle employee, so she raised investiators' eyebrows when an acquaintance said she bragged about buying a Lincoln Navigator, a pool and a new kitchen within a year. What authorities uncovered was a web of illegal immigrants, shady middlemen with names like "Chile" and "El Gordo" and motor vehicle examiners like Lucas-Stevenson who are accused of issuing illegal driver's licenses. Connecticut had developed a reputation from as far away as Florida as a place where people could buy fraudulent driver's licenses for as much as $3,500 without having to produce any identification. DMV workers also took payoffs for stealing the identities of legitimate license holders, police say. Investigators suspect hundreds of licenses were fraudulently issued, sparking worries about illegal immigration, identity theft and even threats to national security. "It's an alarming number, frankly," said prosecutor John H. Malone. "If we find that many so soon in the investigation, I'd be surprised if there weren't more as the investigation progresses." Similar scams have occurred around the country: _ In New Jersey, nine state motor vehicle employees pleaded guilty to a scheme that involved payoffs for bogus licenses. _ In Illinois, a federal investigation into the trading of bribes for driver's licenses led to dozens of convictions and the indictment of former Gov. George Ryan on racketeering and other charges. _ In Virginia, more than 200 people are losing their licenses because of suspected fraud by a former Department of Motor Vehicles worker who allegedly sold licenses for as much as $2,500 each. The federal intelligence overhaul law signed by President Bush last month imposes new standards on information that driver's licenses must contain. Many states, meanwhile, are cracking down by implementing extra measures to get licenses. In North Carolina, new driver's license photos are compared to mug shots of suspected terrorists, while Minnesota is starting to use new technology designed to thwart counterfeiters. The fraud alarms officials amid fears of identity theft and terrorism. Fake ID cards made it possible for the Sept. 11 terrorists to board commercial flights. "The clear and present danger that fraudulent licenses are in the hands of terrorists or anyone who would harm our country requires the strongest possible action," said Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. Investigators are working with federal authorities to compare the names on questionable Connecticut licenses with terrorist databases. There have been no matches so far, officials said. State and local authorities have made 10 arrests, including three employees at the Department of Motor Vehicles. More arrests are expected as investigators try to determine if higher ranking DMV employees were involved. "Presumably a superior would have some knowledge of what the subordinates are doing," Malone said. Lucas-Stevenson, who faces forgery charges, declined comment. She has been placed on administrative leave with pay. The other two DMV employees face bribery charges. Investigators also have uncovered the first identity theft cases. A $4,000 line of credit was taken out in the name of Patrick Milling, an assistant principal in Farmington, to buy an expensive watch and diamonds. Another fake ID card was used to withdraw $11,500 from the bank account of a Bristol man. A DMV employee allegedly received an envelope containing $700 for issuing one of the fake ID cards. Authorities also are investigating more than 200 registrations and 18 driver's licenses traced to a business in Danbury that caters to immigrants from Ecuador. Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said the Fairfield County city is struggling with a wave of illegal immigration. "We're literally being overrun," Boughton said. The scandal prompted Gov. M. Jodi Rell to order the DMV to examine all aspects of licensing. The agency last week announced a plan that includes a reorganization, new technology to prevent fraud and measures designed to tighten internal oversight of how the DMV issues drivers' licenses. "While I know that the vast majority of our employees are honest and committed to integrity, a few abused that public trust," DMV Commissioner Gary DeFilippo wrote in a letter to employees. "However, the severity of the matter has caused us to look at how this problem started and what might be done to prevent reocurrences." Henry William Pardo, a Florida businessman, warned DMV about the problem after he learned that several Brazilians he hired obtained phony licenses in Connecticut. "Every illegal Brazilian person in this country knows about the Connecticut DMV and the person who sells it," Pardo wrote in a letter to DMV a year ago. That left Pardo _ and authorities _ wondering who else might get an illegal license. "Any al-Qaida member could go to the same place, pay his money and obtain a license and go about his business," Pardo said. -- ----------------- R. A. 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