SAN FRANCISCO – The president of Tri-Valley University was found guilty of 31 counts relating to a scheme to defraud the federal government by submitting false documents to admit foreign students to the university on student visas, according to officials.
Prosecutors say Xiao-Ping Su made more than $5.9 million in the alleged scheme.
After a three-week trial, a federal jury on Monday convicted Su of wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit visa fraud, visa fraud, use of a false document, false statements to a government agency, alien harboring, unauthorized access to a government computer, and money laundering, federal officials said.
Su was taken into custody after the verdicts and will be sentenced on June 20. She is facing a lengthy prison sentence, according to prosecutors.
Su’s visa fraud scheme was carried out in her role as the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Pleasanton-based Tri-Valley University, described as “a Christian higher education institution,” authorities said
Su, 43, was involved in seven money laundering transactions using money from the scheme to buy commercial real estate, a Mercedes Benz car, and multiple residences, including a mansion on the Ruby Hill Golf Club in Pleasanton.
Su would charge students “tuition and fees” in exchange for the false paperwork, authorities said.
Su made false representations to Homeland Security regarding Tri-Valley University’s admission requirements, graduation requirements, administrators, instructors, class transferability, and the intent to comply with federal regulations, according to officials.
The investigation began in May 2010 following a tip to Homeland Security Investigations, officials stated.
The now-closed Tri-Valley University was an unaccredited university.
According to its website, school “is a Christian higher education institution offering quality academic programs in Engineering, Business, Ministry, Law and Medicine at a Christian learning environment.” Most of the classes for the school were offered online.
The school was shut down after being raided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.