Reid Press Sec. Gone After Allegations of Sham Immigration Marriage
- Posted on October 26, 2010 at 9:58am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
LAS VEGAS (AP) – A press secretary to Hispanic media in Nevada for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is no longer with his office amid a news report accusing her of marrying a man in 2003 to help him evade immigration laws, a Reid spokesman said Monday night.
Reid spokesman Jim Manley said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that the conduct allegedly committed by Diana Tejada was “clearly wrong.” He said Reid’s office was not previously aware of the allegations, first reported Monday on FoxNews.com. He added Tejada is no longer with the office after an internal investigation.
“But the bottom line remains that this story was a desperation measure by partisan Republicans, who have stooped to slinging mud about junior staffers to score points in the waning days of (the U.S. Senate) campaign,” Manley said.
Reid is seeking a fifth Senate term against GOP challenger Sharron Angle. Polls show the race – which has been filled with nasty ads and negatively charged rhetoric against each candidate – about even.
The Fox News report said the 28-year-old Tejada lied to authorities to cover up her marriage to 37-year-old Bassam Mahmoud Tarhini. But the report said Tejada was never charged with a crime.
A home phone listing for Tejada could not be found.
Manley declined to say whether Tejada resigned or was fired – or even when she stopped working for Reid, saying he doesn’t discuss personnel issues. He said she had been employed in Reid’s office since 2008.
A federal criminal complaint filed against Tarhini in Oklahoma in July 2009 says Tejada and Tarhini were married in September 2003, while they were both students at Oklahoma City College. The complaint said Tarhini, a Lebanese citizen from Beirut, entered the United States in 2000 on a student visa to attend the school.
Two months after getting married, Tarhini registered to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States, the complaint said.
The complaint said an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official interviewed Tejada in November 2008, and she withdrew a visa petition for Tarhini.
“Tejada’s stated reason for her withdrawal was that her marriage to Tarhini was false,” the complaint said. “Tejada married Tarhini after he told her he did not want to return to Lebanon because he would have to serve in the national army.”
Tarhini and prosecutors reached a plea agreement in October last year. He pleaded guilty to entering into a marriage to evade immigration laws, was credited for time served and released into ICE custody.
The Fox News report said Tarhini was deported in March 2010.
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 580 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 406 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 406 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 372 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 357 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 406 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 406 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 357 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 150 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 406 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (65)
denofcubs
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 5:25pmDont crooks usually hire crooks to work with them
Report Post »pistol
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 4:52pmThis is a fine example of a government that will do all possible to cheat. If you don’t think the last election was rigged, then go back to sleep because you can‘t see the truth when it’s in front of you.
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 4:16pmIt is so cool that being a dummy is in vogue now. I am at the top of my game.
Report Post »historypaper
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 2:37pmReid didnt know. You know how dumb he is? If he did know he doesnt care. Show business. Obama business. Fraud business. I guess she’s in jail now? Right? Federal crime. Will Reid go to jail? Is Reid a terrorist threat? How much did he know? When did he know it? Why didnt he call the coppers?
Report Post »conservativeBC
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 1:48pmHarry Reid’s October Surprise
Right Wing News: A desperate Harry Reid, facing defeat at the hands of countermoonbat Sharron Angle, has probably been hoping for an October surprise — but not this one:http://conservativeblogscentral.blogspot.com/2010/10/harry-reids-october-surprise.html
Report Post »joelack55
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 1:06pmIts time we all go peacfully to the streets. Not washington. If a person with an audience ( beck) said lets all go to the streets for a protest on a particular day,say….during lunch , we could all do that . we can’t all go to washington . And if they(The Government) don’t understand. We do it again the next day.,
Report Post »and the next day . soon the street will be filled
temple62
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:45pmCountless wrongs have occurred right under dirty Harry growing nose. He is aware of all these but hope the gullible voters of Nevada are not!
Report Post »jihadazzkicker
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 11:55amHmmm, I would say this is clear evidence that our enemies understand they can hide in plain sight using the liberal trolls. They understand they can use liberals to help destroy the country within…but the average kool aid lib would not believe it this story even when told to them.
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 11:37amTrivial news. The focus: Get rid of Reid — he is one of the many progressive tics, sucking on the back of America.
Report Post »powhatan
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 11:35amTypical of a progressive…. In the dictionary the definition of a progressive should be “liar”.
Report Post »mutt
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 11:31amAnother daily example of why the common folk gotta get off their butts, take off their rose colored glasses and come to the realization that the Progressive/Democrats are destroying this country, lead by the Imposter in Chief. I bet if they looked deep enough, the “husband”was likely a Hezbolah plant, probably worked the Democratic phone banks back in 08.
Report Post »Harry is either senile (he could never figure it out) or so corrupt he didnt care, at least until the election race. Can somebody in Nevada explain to us why is this still a close race?
bailey08
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 11:05amCan’t wait to see this on ABC, NBC, CBS news, top story just like Meg Whitman’s scandal.
Never going to happen. That’s what makes this fight against the Dems/Obama so discouraging.
We have so many things to battle:
voter fraud
education system brainwashing children/college students
Hollywood/entertainers brainwashing audiences too
MSM controlled by the left
gov’t pushing dependency to keep voters
backdoor amnesty
We are in for a long fight. Got to keep faith that God is on the side of truth.
Report Post »It makes me laugh sometines, because I think God is letting Obama have it. Exposing him as an egomanic and a major liar. I don’t think God is too fond of the self-righteous arrogant attitude, and Obama’s tendency to use Christianity as a political tool.
Go God!!!
Slevdog1
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:45amAlthough how this story is treated by the media is questionable, unless there is damning evidence, we need to give Reid the benefit of the doubt, like the Whitman situation a while ago.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:55amWho did that for Whitman? The Democrats are saying republican candidates have “character flaws” and that’s why the polls are supposedly shifting in their favor? Character assassination is all they can do at this point, but we should give THEM the benefit of the doubt? Ummmmm NO. Sick of them getting to play be a different set of rules.
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:40amthese things go on ALL the time my questions with this story are
is the man still in this country?
why wont SHE be charged with a crime?
why is this NOT news when Meg whittman or who ever that is had her story front page for weeks?
VOTE and DEMAND term limits
Report Post »Rapunzel
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:40amEvidently the Democrats can’t tell the difference between mud and facts. That explains a lot!
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:39amThe thing that bothers me most is the man’s ties to terrorists and now it will never be investigated.
Report Post »MikeinIdaho
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:28amHe’s so old and feeble, he probably forgot that he knew! I’m sure he has CRS!
Report Post »Volsense
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:23amReid is so utterly corrupt that anyone who associates with this buffoon has to be too or they would not be able to in the presence of such evil.
Report Post »Iamtheoracle
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:22amwhat about – what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas… I’m not surprised – So many in government – especially the old timers ( on either side) think they are above the law
Report Post »SnapTie
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:22amBut Senior Reid is for open borders. She must of been one of those misguided individuals Dirty Harry represents.
Report Post »alwayssora
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:21amDon‘t you think it’s about time we stopped having to hear about Harry Reid?
Report Post »JFDYATES1
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:15amIf you like socialism , you are seeing it more every day with the democrats . Wonder how many dead people will vote this election ?
Report Post »Marcobob69
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 11:56amGood point!
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:09pmOnly the democrat dead, the republican dead will stay home.
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 1:29pmIn Milwaukee we have a list of 18,000 “voters” who are deceased or non-existant. Our (democrat controlled) Elections board REFUSES to even look at this list of registered “voters” because it would disenfranchise them…..WTF That is JUST in Milwaukee. My guess is Madison is just as bad. So we have an uphill battle right out of the gate here in Wisconsin. We WILL still be victorious.
Report Post »OBAMAWORSHIOER
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:05amGOP must really being desperate. Millions are flowing into the Reid campaign while “patriot” donations are leveling off and dropping. Looks like we turned it around for Reid. NOT hard given the all talk network here at the Blaze.
MAULEMALL
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:14amIs it obamawhore or obamahorse or what??
Report Post »starman70
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:15amJust like the Dumbocrats did in California when they went ballistic over Carley’s housekeeper. That was a setup from day one.
Report Post »aeronut44
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:16amWow, i wonder what the color the sky is in your world! Tuesday is the day. The votes will speak for themselves.
Report Post »NFYRx
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:18amBUTB troll.
Report Post »Gita
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:24amTypical of an Obama worshiper lazy crazy and UNEDUCATED!
Report Post »scuba13
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:37amobamaworshioer, what branch of the nut tree are you sitting on because danglingbags wants his medication back
Report Post »landman1
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:51amA Dem lefty is commenting here??? I hope for their sake that there is a federal program available for spelling challenged citizens. And please ask yourself, is the annointed one worthy of “ WORSHIP” ?? I am guessing that is what you meant to spell.
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 11:53amI bet you smoke crack.
Report Post »Nvrforget
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:00pmAh, such a blunt troll. It was about time somebody put some life back into this site, that echo chamber crap was getting a little much.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:07pmMaule, I think he means Obamahorseshoer you know, like a presidential ferrier.
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 1:22pmWow, we are dropping the violent member of a vast left wing syndicate persona and just being an illiterate troll! No dungeons and dragons today??? Or are you between assignments from George Soros? You are so pathetic.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 11:46pmI fell for it last night. My mistake. I am sorry. If we all just stop responding to OBAMAWORSHIOER
it is possible he will get bored and crawl back into his hole. He mis-spells on purpose, he rants and raves only to get a reaction. This forum should be better than that. We should be better than that. I am all for hearing from the other side. Bring it! Convince me – maybe I’ll change my mind – maybe not. But don’t come to us with childish stupid behavior so that you can feel important for a few seconds.
No one here is more or less important than anyone else. Some just whine louder than others.
We have all been around a child throwing a fit. The more attention he gets the longer the fit.
Let’s get back to things that actually matter, PLEASE.
Report Post »OK3Wire
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:02amLet me get this straight …
When Meg Whitman hires an illegal alien (albeit unwittingly), it’s NEWS.
When Harry Reid has a staffer who marries an illegal and lies about it to officials, it’s MUD SLINGING.
OK, I think I understand now. Thanks, Harry.
Report Post »capitalist pig
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:22amnow that is funny!
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:48amNews or Mudslinging, no, it is just the usual tired way they do things.
Report Post »missionarydad
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 2:50pmWell said and that is the issue the way the lamestream media and the far left spin these things. The truth of the matter is probably both Whitman and Reid in this each case are innocent of any wrong doing. But you are so right that is exactly how the left spins things. Yes as much as I have to admit it Reid is most likely not guilty on this one, but then again even a broken clock is right twice a day and that is a better track record than The Senate Majority Leader has. He is in the wrong and guilty on everything else under the sun but this one time I have to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:00amReid will deny knowledge of anything, and he will probably be telling the truth….
Report Post »starman70
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:09amReid telling the truth?
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:17amReid knows nothing about anything is the point…
pulosi has been leading him around by his nose for the last 2 years..
It’s obvious who has the penuts between the 2….
Report Post »patriot4evah
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:17amYeah your correct. He probably did know, but has forgotten. : )
Report Post »NFYRx
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:23amWhat’s an “Hispanic” anyway? I know that Dominicans and Hatians could be called that, being that those countries are on the island of Hispanola, but the name in the story doesn’t sound French, and I doubt they are Dominican.
Report Post »ToneBoy
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:34amThis is called “plausible deniability”.
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 10:40amOnce again Mr Reid calls such tactics “desperate” and fails to comprehend just why most people wish he would go away; in november he will, as in “Your Fired!” What needs to be checked into is just what Mr Reid did or did not know, provably and verified, about the matter, if the laws have been broken criminaly then have him in court to face a jury.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mix art)
Bulljack
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:14pmRied is as slimy as we are!
http://www.slugbuddies.com
Report Post »Beckofile
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 12:40pmWow ..an unsuspecting liberal college student possibly getting used to keep an unknown in this country. I would think that following 9/11 anyone who tried illegally to keep a person from lebanon in this country would be put on the no fly list. I guess she will have to move on to The Center of American Progress with a raise and promotion?
Report Post »beekeeper
Posted on October 26, 2010 at 2:28pmThis is fantastic – my press secretary was involved in a crime, I’ve terminated/accepted her resignation over her involvement, but the REAL ISSUE is that the Republicans are using this as a desperate move to unseat Harry Reid by bringing this up.
Seriously, when can we whip out the “Culture of Corruption” card?
Report Post »