Indian-American acquitted in marriage plot

An Indian-American here, who was arrested after allegedly offering 15,000 dollars to a girl to marry his friend so that the friend could get permanent US immigration status, has been acquitted by court authorities.

Ghanshyam P Patel, 50, of suburban Hoffman Estates had gone on trial this week but was found not guilty of disorderly conduct in Cook County Circuit Court.

The Judge presiding over the case said Patel's actions "did not amount to breaking the law". A brief trial later refunded Patel the 75 dollar bond he posted after his arrest.

According to a report in the 'Chicago Tribune', Patel was arrested in May after the 17-year old girl's mother called the police and complained that he had made the offer to her daughter.

Patel, who owns the building in Hoffman Estates where the mother and daughter live, also allegedly offered to forgive several months of back rent if the girl would agree to marry his friend so that the friend could obtain a resident-alien visa, the report quoted prosecutors as saying.

After getting to know about the offer, the girl's mother became upset and notified the authorities.