Ex-Catholic Charities attorney sentenced for embezzlement
The former director of immigration legal services for Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City will be on probation for 10 years forembezzling.
Margarita I. Solis, 47, of Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty last week to three felony counts of embezzlement. Oklahoma County prosecutors alleged she stole thousands of dollars meant for clients’ immigration fees. She was sentenced according to a plea agreement. If she successfully completes her probation, she won’t be considered a felon.
While employed as an attorney by Catholic Charities, Solis was in charge of assisting clients in obtaining permanent residency status and citizenship in the United States. After receiving money orders from clients to pay immigration fees, Solis would make the orders payable to her and cash them, according to prosecutors. “We never wished her any ill will,” said Patrick Raglow, executive director of Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City. “Many of our clients come from brokenness and we deal with human brokenness all the time. That’s why we’re here.
“And occasionally some of our staff have brokenness also. So we try to deal with that as compassionately as possible ... while at the same time holding staff and the agency accountable.” In November, Solis resigned as an attorney pending disciplinary proceedings. In December, the Oklahoma Supreme Court approved her resignation. Solis can’t apply for reinstatement for five years, according to the approval order.
In the order, the Supreme Court noted three grievances against Solis.
One alleged she converted more than $24,000 in filing fees paid by clients to her personal use. Another alleged she converted $3,700 for personal use. Another alleged she converted $850 for personal use.
In the criminal charge, prosecutors alleged Solis stole $2,830 from clients in 2015 and 2016. She paid $2,500 in restitution to Catholic Charities, which covered the agency’s insurance deductible, Assistant District Attorney Kirk Martin said.