ROUND ROCK, Texas — A Round Rock woman has been arrested and charged with falsely holding herself out as an attorney after police say she told undocumented immigrants she would help them with the legal process to become U.S. citizens.
According to an arrest affidavit, Maria DeKay is not legally permitted to offer such services and told investigators that she failed the State Bar Exam three times.
The affidavit states police also found what appeared to be a forged State Bar of Texas certificate bearing DeKay's name, which she admitted was not authentic. The document states she told police that she uses the certificate to "inspire her to achieve her vision" of becoming a lawyer.
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DeKay declined to comment to KVUE News and the Austin American-Statesman other than to say that she is operating a legitimate business and referred calls to her attorney, who did not respond. Late last week, DeKay's office on Main Street in Round Rock remained opened.
The affidavit states DeKay, who has a degree in international law from the University of Houston, identifies herself on social media sites, such as LinkedIn, as an attorney. Police said they have identified as many as a dozen clients, including one who said they paid DeKay $1,800 in his quest to obtain political asylum from his native Venezuela.
"They are trying to play by our rules so they can stay in our country," Round Rock police Sgt. John Rowe said. "They went to her seeking advice as an attorney."