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An alleged fake marriage has landed a couple in the hot seat, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced today. 28-year-old actress Fernanda Romero (here's her IMDB and her modelling page) of Westwood and her husband (on paper)--musician and pizza delivery man Kent Ross, also 28, of Park La Brea--were arrested this morning by federal officials on marriage fraud charges that allege they entered into a sham marriage so the actor could obtain legal status in the United States.
Apparently, Romero paid Ross $5,000 to marry her on June 12, 2005, but they never lived together once in Los Angeles. One month into the marriage, she began dating fashion photographer Markus Klinko, but they broke up a year and one half later. Several months later, Klinko alerted immigration authorities of the fraud.
According to the affidavit, Klinko, who lived in New York City at the time, met Romero on a Los Angeles photo shoot--they went on their first date two days later. Over the next few months they would date when he was in town as she said she was single (even though she was recently married). As things continued, she finally admitted the truth:
Sometime in March or April 2006, ROMERO told Klinko that she was married. ROMERO admitted that she married ROSS so that she could obtain permanent residence status. Klinko told ROMERO that many artists and models obtain non-immigrant visas so that they legally work in the United States. ROMERO responded that committing marriage fraud was more convenient for her.
They continued to date and eventually moved in together in a home on Warbler Way in the hills above West Hollywood while she kept up her other Strathmore Avenue apartment "so she could continue to create the appearance of her living with ROSS for the immigration authorities." Then in January 2007, Romero broke it off and Klinko eventually had his attorney contact ICE (returning the favor?).
But it wasn't only Klinko who was seemingly upset. So was her legal, but ignored, husband. "After the marriage ceremony, ROSS attempted to establish a romantic relationship with ROMERO, but ultimately, it did not work out," read the affidavit. "ROSS appeared angry due to the manner in which ROMERO treated him."
If convicted, the two could end up in federal prison for up to five years. Romero's real name is Maria Fernanda Romero Martinez.
