One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Ex-Boyfriend Gets Revenge? Mexican Actress and 'Husband' Arrested for Entering into Sham Marriage
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."
Sponsored message
If convicted, the two could end up in federal prison for up to five years. Romero's real name is Maria Fernanda Romero Martinez.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
