THE future of the Fijians Helping Fiji Co-operative Ltd (FHFCL) hangs in a balance because its adviser the American Helping America (AHA) is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US.
The FBI is investigating AHA’s Adult Adoption Program. Last year AHA chief executive officer Dr Helaman Hansen visited the country to launch FHFCL.
However, FHFCL chairman Ratu Meli Vesikula said they were not part of the AHA and that it was only for those who live in the US.
KCRA 3 News investigative journalist Brian Heaps last week reported that the investigation into AHA spanned eight states and at least three countries, including Fiji.
On December 22 last year, the FBI served a search and seizure warrant for all of Dr Hansen’s affiliated companies’ offices as well as his home.
The FBI affidavit to explain its investigation of the non-profit organisation stated that transcripts of recordings were recovered and a certain transcript titled “Recording 18” outlined a sponsorship program in which a Fijian would pay $15,000 in exchange for sponsorship to the US.
“This sponsorship would allow for two paths in to citizenship as part of a two-year program,” the affidavit said.
“After one year, the first path allows the Fijians to participate in a legal process already available for adoption.
“This process will take only a year to finalise their citizenship.
“The alternative program is explained as the ‘business track’ and suggests the Fijians file for a green card after having a business established for two years.”
The FBI affidavit said both programs outlined a full return of the $15,000 after a five-year period as a return on investment.
According to the affidavit, email communications relating to AHA and its subsidiaries were recovered.
Two emails were discovered from the email address fijianshelpingfiji@gmail.com. The first was addressed to Dr Hansen and listed six Fijian names ready for sponsorship letters.
The second was addressed to WEEKES and listed six committee members for FHF.
The FBI also discovered two lists of FHF members, one had 267 names.
A Fijian residing in the US said he had enquired about AHA and was told the fee was $10,000.
KCRA 3 News had been following the story and last week said the FBI was looking for evidence of possible mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud undocumented immigrants and that it (FBI) began its full investigation in February 2015 after a complaint by an employee.
Dr Hansen last week posted a video on You Tube where he asked FHFCL to fill a form that was sent to the Suva office as AHA was preparing to sue the US Government, the FBI and Immigration Department for violation of human right and ruining the organisation’s reputation.
