Federal judge blocks questioning of top state EB-5 officials, for now

BURLINGTON — A federal judge has blocked an attorney for a group of EB-5 investors from questioning former state officials who oversaw the scandal-plagued immigrant investment program in Vermont — at least for now.

Judge Christina Reiss said Russell Barr, the Stowe lawyer who brought suit on behalf of a handful of investors from China, must first take the deposition of Shen Jianming, an immigration attorney accused of taking advantage of foreign investors in a kickback scheme.

Shen is accused of taking $1.25 million in kickbacks in return for bringing foreign investors to the Jay Peak projects.

Depending on what Shen says in his deposition, the judge may allow Barr to depose former state officials.

Read more: https://vtdigger.org/2018/11/06/federal-judge-blocks-questioning-top-state-eb-5-officials-now/