2007年VOA标准英语-US Charges Two Men in Cuba Travel Scheme
时间：2019-01-12 作者：英语课 分类：2007年VOA标准英语（二月）
Miami
22 February 2007
U.S. officials have charged two men with helping 1 thousands of people travel to Cuba with fraudulent religious visas. Authorities say the suspects used bogus church names and other information to avoid travel restrictions 2 to the Communist island. VOA's Brian Wagner reports from Miami.
U.S. officials announced the indictment 3 following a months-long probe that involved local police, immigration officials and the Treasury 4 Department.
They say Victor Vazquez and David Margolis are accused of helping some 4,500 travelers avoid Cuba-related travel regulations. The two men are accused of taking advantage of a Treasury Department program that grants permits to churches for religious and humanitarian 5 missions to Cuba.
Alex Acosta (2006 photo)
U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta says Vazquez and Margolis obtained scores of religious travel permits, using non-existent pastors 6 and false church names, such as the First Church of Christ. He says the licenses 7 were then offered to travel agents for sale in the Miami area.
"An individual could then go into a travel service provider, indicate a desire to travel to Cuba, pay a fee of $250 and then have the ability to travel as if they were a member of this non-existent church," said Alex Acosta.
Acosta says the alleged 8 sale of the bogus licenses generated about $1 million in revenue during a nine-month period last year.
Authorities said the pair could face up to five years in prison, if convicted.
Officials expressed concern that the alleged incident could affect thousands of others who conduct legitimate 9 religious missions to Cuba each year.
Adam Szubin is the director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the Treasury Department, which oversees 10 Cuba sanctions.
"The fact that we see fraud as being exposed today with made-up ministers, made-up churches, will mean very sadly that we have to pay increasing scrutiny 11 to church organizations, religious organizations that come in and apply," said Adam Szubin. "I think it's a second tragedy of this activity, aside from the criminal conduct itself."
For more than four decades, the United States has barred American companies from doing business in Cuba. In recent years, Washington has allowed limited cash sales of food and medicine intended to aid the Cuban people. U.S. officials say the sanctions are needed to create pressure on the Cuban government and hasten a transition to democracy on the island.
- The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
- By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
- I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
- a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制
- He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。
- They issued an indictment against them.他们起诉了他们。
- The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
- This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。
- She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
- The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。
- Do we show respect to our pastors, missionaries, Sunday school teachers? 我们有没有尊敬牧师、宣教士，以及主日学的老师？ 来自互联网
- Should pastors or elders be paid, or serve as a volunteer? 牧师或长老需要付给酬劳，还是志愿的事奉呢？ 来自互联网
- Drivers have ten days' grace to renew their licenses. 驾驶员更换执照有10天的宽限期。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- Jewish firms couldn't get import or export licenses or raw materials. 犹太人的企业得不到进出口许可证或原料。 来自辞典例句
- It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
- alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为
- Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
- That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。
- She oversees both the research and the manufacturing departments. 她既监督研究部门又监督生产部门。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- The Department of Education oversees the federal programs dealing with education. 教育部监管处理教育的联邦程序。 来自互联网