John F. Roth & Associates, Big Rip OFF attorney, who has taken money for his so called services. Does not follow through with what is promised and has an excuse "That Is Always Blamed On The Client". This is so he will not have to give back any money he has basically stold, for not living up to his advertisment. Nanuet, New York
Well, before I get into this whole horrible experience, I want all to know that I was so physically exhausted from having to do (or should I say re-do) all my fiance's paper work for immigration, that I was not interested in trying to fight with this petty and TOTALLY worthless lawyer. But as I kept thinking about it, it really bothers me that he just walked all over me and basically took my money and refused to reimburse me for any of his mistakes.
I hired John F. Roth to handle my (then fiance) immigration case. We were filing for a K1 fiance visa. I found Mr. Roth on the internet and kept going back because I was under the impression (based on claims on his website) he cared about his clients and ws willing to work for them...... "This Was A BIG Joke". On Mr. Roth's site, it stated that he had staff that spoke Spanish that would be able to speak with my fiance, but when I was assigned to the "Alabama office" there was not one person there that spoke Spanish. I was assigned to Michael P. Pole (another joke of the firm, who did nothing but give me WRONG information, and I to, just like the woman who wrote a report here, was never able to get a hold of him on the phone. On the few occasion that I did speak to an actual (so called) lawyer, I was treated like I was a waste of their time, and the were not interested in listening to issues "that needed to be addressed".
I too, had to always talk to a paralegal, and she knew abosolutely nothing also. I had asked if I was able to "Combine" the income of more than one co-sponsor, and my lawyer specifically told me yes. But when I had ran across some information on the USCIS site that stated differently, I wrote an e-mail (cause yet again, was not able to reach anyone, and received no call backs) asking what the deal was and why was I told I could. I sent numerous e-mail responses, and received a couple back saying they were looking into it and would contact me back when they had the info needed, well that day never came. Finally, approx (don't remember exactly) I e-mailed Mr. Rothabout this and I then received a phone call from "the paralegal" to give me the one word answer. I never received an apology, or anything.
A coulpe of months down the line I was informed, through e-mail, that I needed to contact the NY office for any of my questions or problems. My lawyer was no longer there, and on one phone conversation with John, he told me that Micael P. Poles never bothered to pick up a law book!!!!!! Isn't that nice, he hires people that don't know what they are doing, and admitted it on the phone, to me. I also, had to speak to Chantel (paralegal, NY office, spoke spanish) about a problem in our case, my fiance had been stopped by the police a few times in Dominican Republic, and thing are very different out there, not to mention very corrupt. I was not sure what was considered an actual arrest, and , though I speak spanish, I am only able to hold my own in a general conversation, so there were many discrepancies in me trying to explain what happened. So I was trying to reach John, and always ended up speaking with his paralegal (when ever able to get someone on the phone) and had my fiance tell her what happened, and what should be done.
Of course she did not know, and we were told that Jhon, would get back to me. In the end, I was due to leave for my fiance's interview (2 days away) at the US Embassy, and I had yet to receive my "Embassy Packet" this is what I paid $1,800 for, never received any letter in regards to arrests, and "NEVER" received my co-sponsor sheet "At All", and I paid an extra $250 for them to fill it out!!!!!! I tried to contact them by phone and all I received was an answering machine that was so full, that it could not hold anymore messages. Oh, forgot to mention, that Chantel (Only Spanish speaking "paralegal) was no longer there.
When I finally received the Embassy packet, it was e-mailed to me, and I was to try and look for errors return it for them to correct all in one day!! It was a nightmare, when I looked it over, I had out dated forms, wrong information (that I had updated through e-mail many months prior) and, I never received the co-sponsor (I-134) form. When I made it to Dominican Republic, not only was I stressed from the anticipation of the interview, but I had to go run around gathering information, and having a friend help me re-do all the forms, it was ridiculous!!!! No one even bothered to call and see the out come (you would think they would want to know). Finally, I wrote the John about how I would like some (if not all) of my money back for his/business's lack of service and how he did not live up to his advertisement. Here is my e-mail to him:
As you will see, he lies, is still giving me inaccurate information, he tries to blame this on me and my fiance, and he "NEVER" responds to the extra money I spent ($250) for the I 134:
Ms.
You were our client for over two years and we had probably five times as many contacts with you as with a typical client. We had huge problems with your case as you know due to the endless changes in Jhon hey's stories about whether he had a criminal record or not. Your was an extremely difficult case to get approved, due to your financial problems, the age difference, your status as a disabled, unemployed mother of two and other problems in the general profile of the case. The case was approved on the first application by both the USCIS and the Embassy. And you are complaining???
Regards,
John Roth
On Apr 24, 2008, at 9:23 PM, WENDY **** wrote:
To Whom This May Concern,
Just thought I would let you know that I have been back from Dominican Republic since April 4th, 2008. I am writing for a number of reasons, and all have to do with the way my case was handle, or should I say "NOT" handled, and the lack of attention that was paid to my case!! With this being said, I want my money back!! Everything that your firm has claimed was false. I paid $1,800 retainer fee for the "FULL SERVICE" package, and $250 for the paper for my co-sponsor to be filled out.
Issues
1. Your site states that you are fluent in Spanish, which is not true, Michael P. Poles (who I was placed with) and his assistant, spoke NO Spanish. and once I was transferred to the NY office, I had access to someone who spoke Spanish , that is when I was able to actually get her on the phone, but only for a couple of months. But I never could get an answer to our situation, because she was not knowledgeable about what we were asking. I was told that I would receive a call from a lawyer or she would call me back with the answer, and not once was I ever called back, or received any e-mail in regards to "important" matters that needed to be answered. In fact, there had been a few different "new" issues, some good and some unsure, but nevertheless, important information, and I called, or left e-mails to have someone call me, and once again, never received any call or e-mail returned. Please note, there had also been many of times that I would have to e-mail because when I would try to leave a message, the voice mail was so full that it was not able to take anymore messages.
The site says our firm is fluent in Spanish, not every sub-office. By your own admission, you had access to a Spanish speaker. Your other comments are simply untrue, and I can prove it from our records.
2. Collection of Form Data from Fiance
A member of our office (including overseas staff) will contact your fiance to obtain all biographical information required by the visa process, unless such information has already been obtained by you.
No one ever even attempted to contact my fiance about this, in fact, "I was told", well, you are making a trip down there soon, so be sure to get this information, my trip was not for another month.
We sent him an email request for this information right at the outset of the case. When we didn't get everything we needed, we asked you to get it and you did not object but rather agreed. This was in fact the most reliable and sensible solution particularly since it did not delay the petition's submission because we had to wait several months anyway until you would be legally free to marry.
3. Supporting Document Advice
Our office will provide you and your fiance with all necessary advice regarding the collection of supporting documents for the USCIS petition and Embassy interview.
Once again, received no advice, no help, on where or how to obtain the necessary documents needed. No one was concerned or worried one bit of the problems we were having in trying to obtain this documentation, nor were you concerned of trying to help figure out what was considered arrests or not, and what was needed to be done. Thankfully we did receive help, but it sure was not from this firm.
Again, this is not true and we over 60 emails to prove it, including our comprehensive startup package that we sent you at the outset of the case.
4 All this wrong information that was given by your firm. for instance; the information Michael Poles "Repeatedly" had given me about how I can use more than one co-sponsor,. The information you gave my father on how Jhon Hey is able to sponsor himself once he is here, and he does not need the I 864 for along time, just before the AOS interview. This was a "Lie" , Jhon Hey needs to send the I 864 with the AOS, which is right after we were to marry.
The I-186 is submitted with the AoS, but no one reviews it until the interview, so that's the only time an effective I-864 is needed. That's exactly what I told your father.
"I" said nothing until I investigated all this information for my self. You also stated that, when I asked, if Jhon Hey were to ever use any Means-Tested benefits, could he be deported. Not that this was the plan, but I investigated this also, and found out that, though it is rare, "It can happen". But you stated No he could not.
I simply don't recall saying this, nor can I imagine that I did. In any event, you seem very upset about something that occurs very rarely and can not occur to you because you don't plan to pursue this course (welfare payments).
5. Although I had gotten divorced and had to wait six months before I was eligible (which I was aware of this) to even put my petition in, once June came around, my petition was still put on hold because the firm did not want to send out the petition to the USCIS until I had my co-sponsor. I finally asked if this was necessary, and was I able to just file the Petition, and I was told that, "Well, you really do not need it, but we would like to have it in there. So in other words, my whole case should of and could have been sent out long before, it actually was, this was due to me complaining that I wanted to put it through and started, I will get the co-sponsor.
The issue was that before you obtained a co-sponsor you were not qualified for a K-1 visa petition. We had to determine the viability of the petition before moving forward with it. This is simply the best practice for immigration attorneys handling cases like yours. If we left this matter to be resolved just before the interview, what do you suppose the result would be? You paid us not to "wing it" but to give you the best possible chance of success.
6. Embassy Interview Preparation for Other Cities
For fiances undertaking interviews in embassies other than those listed in the paragraph above, one of our attorneys will call your fiance and thoroughly prepare her/him for the interview through telephone consultation.
This was a joke!! We received no preparation whatsoever, from anyone for our interview. We also did not receive the letter that was suppose to be written by John in regards to Jhon Hey's record (which Chantel stated in a phone conversation that you were "in the process of doing"), which we NEVER received. Chantel was aware of when I was to leave for Dominican Republic in an e-mail I sent to her on Feb 9th, 2008, this was when we were getting all information that I was going to need from my father. Because of it being 4 weeks and 2 days" before I was suppose to leave, I assumed that this not only was sufficient time for me to get my Embassy packet and I 134 or I 864. Well I called
Right, you simply failed to give us the necessary information in time for us to perform the interview preparation. Don't you recall the many month long soap opera about your fiance's arrests, (maybe) convictions, conspiracies by others to frame him, his brother's possible involvement, etc. It was a nightmare, and we still didn't have a clear answer about this matter when you left for DR.
Are more than welcome to try out your arguments on the New York State Bar Associations. See (((link redacted))). I'm sure the attorney who gets your complaint won't even believe what he or she is reading, or else (s)he'll conclude that this is just some pumped-up scam to get money. In any event, please don't write to me further. I've already spent more than enough time on your case as it is.
Gay Lynn, your NY office, and followed up with a confirmation e-mail to Philipp on "March 10th, 2008 (two days before I was to leave) to find out what was going on with my Embassy packet etc. I then received an e-mail from Philip:
Subject: RE: ATTN: Philipp
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:08:48 -0500
From: "Law Offices of John F. Roth" Add Mobile Alert
To: "WENDY ****"
CC: " Gay Lynn Smith "
Wedy,
The reason for the delay is that we still haven't received an accurate and reliable list of arrests of Jhon hey. What I finally decided to do was send you the forms with a continuation sheet listing the arrests. You will write in the arrests later. Our firm name is not on any of the forms because we can not sign off on forms that will be modified later by the client. The lack of our name and signatures will not effect the processing of the forms, however. The Consulate will accept them.
A word of warning: if we find out that either of you have been less than honest about Jhon hey's arrest record, will remove ourselves from the case. We have heard so many stories by now that we scarcely know what to believe anymore.
Best regards,
John F. Roth, Esq.
Law Offices of John F. Roth
(845) 623-1100
http://fiancee-visa-attorney.com
If you intend to reply to this e-mail please ensure that you re-send all the information from your original enquiry. This e-mail, including any attached files, may contain confidential and privileged information for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any review, use, distribution, or disclosure by any other persons is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to receive information for the intended recipient), please contact the sender by replying to this e-mail and delete all copies of this message.
From: WENDY **** [mailto:(((email readacted)))]
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 1:53 PM
To: Law Offices of John F. Roth
Subject: ATTN: Philipp
Hi Philipp,
This is a confirmation e-mail to let you know that I have called Gay Lynn at 11:57pm March 10th, 2008 and left a message to please call me and let me know what is going on with my Embassy packet. I then called Your office at 11:58pm March 10th, 2008 pushed your number (3) for your line and a woman with a heavy accent (she did not state her name) and asked for an attorney to talk to, she stated that you would not be in for 2 hours. I asked her then to see what is going on with my Embassy packet, because I am due to leave on Wed March 12th, 2008 5:30am (which this has been known for a while now). You stated that I should receive it by Friday Feb 29th, 2008. Yet to this date I have received nothing. This is ridiculous, there is no excuse for this, I have until tomorrow to receive this Embassy Packet. My father has his BC and Check stubs and is bringing them to me today, but this is still no excuse for me not having all these forms already. So, now my question to you is, will I be receiving these forms by tomorrow??
Sincerely,
Wendy ****
Wisconsin/Dominican Republic
(((phone number redacted)))
First of all, this was totally unacceptable, I then received and e-mail from Gay Lynn with all my so called forms, all forms had outdated information (that I had updated with Chantel back in "NOVEMBER" through an e-mail.
I was sent through e-mail:
2 = DS 156 - Information was not updated
1 = 156K - Information was not updated
1 = DS 157 -Not only was information not updated, but the Embassy asked me why did your attorney give you this, a K1 does not need this. Also, for future references, The DS 157 is used only for male applicants between the ages of 18-45 and is filed along with the DS 156 (visitor visa, student visa, etc.)
So it would never be used as part of a K-1 petition application.
DS 230 = Once again, information was not updated
Copy Of Petition = Once again " Embassy CO " asked why I was giving this to them, I said because my lawyer said it was needed, she said, your Lawyer is wrong, hope you did not invest a lot of money.
Embassy Instructions = Do not know Why this was even given to me, seeing as all on the list was done already (Thank you God). If I had not investigated all these things "on my own" and was totally clueless and had to depend on you, I would of never of been prepared for our interview, not to mention, would have received an open appointment to obtain all that was needed.
Medical Instructions = Once again this was all done already, NOT because you gave me these instructions and I did them, but because I had to research myself to find out what was needed to be done, because I could never get "Any" help or information from this firm, because I either, could never get in touch with anyone, or I never received any responses.
I 134 or I 864 = Oh, Wait.............. I "NEVER received this at all" not for me and especially not for my father!! In other words, I paid you $250 to NOT fill out my father's form!!
My fiance was never contacted by phone by any attorney to help him be prepared for the interview, I paid for this also!!
Could you also explain to me, seeing as I was due to leave on March 12th, 2008 at 4am, and I finally received a quickly "Thrown" together Embassy packet through "E-Mail", how I am to check all information and have anything that needed to be change done in one day?? Oh and by the way, where is that letter that you were in the process of writing up for Jhon Hey to bring to the interview (in regard to his record)??
Just so "You " are aware, I had to re-do "ALL" my forms myself in Dominican Republic so that all my forms had the correct "Updated" information on it. Over the last few months I got to know a man who has close contact with the Embassy' s Chief of the IV unit and all of his employees, when he heard of all the problems I was having with this firm, he offered to get everything ready and prepared us for the interview. "HE" is the one who helped us go through Jhon Hey's police record and we found out that there was only one thing that is an actual arrest. So he is the one who got us ready for this interview, "Your Firm Did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING"!!
Just in case you are waiting to say that I am asking for my money back "ONLY" because I lied and my fiance did not get the visa...... WRONG, because my fiance did receive the visa, "DID NOT" lie like you "accused" us of doing and expected us to do at the interview. One of the times I asked to be contacted by you (or someone for that matter) was to let you know that Jhon Hey received a court date for March 19th, 2008, this is when he was to receive a letter from the Judge that said he was "Not Guilty" from the "One" arrest he had. So we went to the interview, got an cita abierta (translated, cause there is no one who is fluent in Spanish there as you claim) it means open appointment. We came back with the court paper that stated "Not Guilty" and his drug test was clear and he was approved, thank you for being so concerned with our case.
I have already talked to two other attorneys in regards to how this firm has treated us and our case, and, was told I have a very good case against you.. Not only this, I also have a friend of mine who used your firm also, and she is willing to notarize a letter stating that she could never get a hold of anyone either, and all forms in her Embassy packet were out dated.
My father will also testify to the information (wrong information) that was given to him in regards to him co-sponsoring.
With this being said Mr. Roth, I want my money back, $1,800 for lack of help and attention paid to my case, and not abiding by your claims (false advertisement) plus the $250 for the co-sponsor form that I "Never" received. If I do not receive my money back, I will make a complaint to the bar association, and go to court, which I will then sue for supplemental damages. I truly hope we don't have to go through all of this, but I am willing to do so if needed. Your firm gave us no guidance throughout this whole process, nor did they keep information updated, or prepare us for the interview.
Wendy
SUn Prairie, Wisconsin
U.S.A.
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
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6 Updates & Rebuttals
Wendy
Sun Prairie,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
Forgot To Mention
#7REBUTTAL Owner of company
Fri, February 27, 2009
Forgot to mention my husband went through all security checks, Name check, Finger Printing, CIA, FBI, IBIS, FBI "National" Name check. Yeap, came up clear, my husband is legit and has never had any problems with the law. So be sure to stop the slander of my husband Roth. It doesn't make you look any better in the people's eyes.
Wendy
Sun Prairie,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
WOW, You Not only are A Theif, But You Are A "LIAR" Also
#7Consumer Comment
Fri, February 27, 2009
Amazing John........ You are a complete liar, and you stoop to no level to make others try and look bad. First of all let me tell you, If you recall, it was "YOUR" NY office who placed me in the Alabama office, they are not the ones that hired me. Secondly, you stated in your own words "Michael P. Poles Has Never Bothered To Pick up A law Book". This of course made me feel reaaalll comfortable in knowing that you have such incompetents working for you. As far as my husband goes, seeing as you were "NOT" familiar with Dominican Republic, (in fact I was your first case at the time) you have no idea about the corruption out there, and this is why I "NEEDED" your help, or lack of. No where did I ever state that my husband was "GOING" to pay anyone off, in fact my exact words were, the corruption out there is so bad, that many take payment just to wipe the record clean, which is true, this is the way the DR is. truth be told, it was YOUR secretary "Chantelle" who had actually made the statement that it would probably be easier to do this, because DR is very hard to get documentation because the government is so corrupt and there is no order in the way they do things. As you already know UNDER NO Circumstances did my husband pay anyone off!! So please, stop trying to "LIE" about this, you know the conversation very well, you are just PO'ed that I even dear asked for any type of money because your firm is a joke, and they do "NOT" live up to what they advertise.
For the record John, my husband was "NOT" involved with numerous crimes, in fact, that was "PROVEN" but seeing as you did not take the time to try and sort through things with us, you would of never of known this. I had to get legal help in DR to sort through everything. My husband was "DETAINED" one time, and was "NOT" charged with anything, and I have the "COURT PAPER" signed by the "JUDGE" proving that. So once again, you accusations are BS. You just do not want to pay for "YOUR" wrong doing.
How P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C you really are to even try and put me in a catagory of a woman with 14 children, you really are a low down, dirty lawyer that has no ethical morales. Just admit it John, you are just a shyster. As far as me getting any money back from you, I know you would never give any of the $1,800 I paid for your "SO CALLED" great service, but why don't you tell everyone here, why you have not returned the $250 that I paid, for you to fill out the 1 page co-sponsor sheet?? Why is that John, don't tell me that it is because the so called extra work you did for me was worth more than I paid, so you decided to keep the $250, this was not in any agreement, nor was it ever mentioned. You owe me that money, because "YOU" never filed out that form, not to mention, that even if you had, it would have been no good, because DR Embassy was not excepting the I 134 any longer, they were taking the I 864, but because as usual, you had no idea of what was going on in DR, and it was OBVIOUS.
So in closing folks, Mr. Roths "ACCUSATIONS" of what happened in our case were "NOT" true, and he knows it. But just like I mentioned earlier, he always puts blame on the client, and tries to make them look bad. Hey John, don't you think you, as an attorney, you might have just violated the attorney/client confidentiality about my and other cases?? I believe so, don't worry john, I'm not looking for any comp for this (yet another wrong on your part), but it is just food for thought for others you have broke the confidentiality with (on here). and don't worry, if someone would like to do something about it, he can "NOT" disclose unrelated information to get back at you or ruin your reputation, like he is trying to do with "everyone" here who has had a problem with his services. John, the only money I am asking for is my $250 for the paper "YOU" NEVER filled out. You never filled the form I paid for, and I never received it. So, the big question is........ Why did I not receive this money back, when you never filled out and gave me the form?? What is the deal with that John??
After this, I just give up, you are nothing but a shyster, who DOES NOT care about any of your clients, you are only out to take the money, and after that who cares. By the way, if you are so "hard up" for that $250, just keep it, I am sure you would of came up with some BS story as to why you are not going to return a fee that was never used.
Please be careful everyone, this guy is a BIG JOKE!! I almost feel sorry for him
John
Nanuet,New York,
U.S.A.
The person who wrote this is a scam artist
#7REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sun, February 15, 2009
This is a scam. Anyone familiar with RipOff Report will know that it is a very clever extortion business masquerading as a consumer advocacy organization. Any and all complaints are encouraged, no facts are checked, the complaints are packaged for maximum damage to the complained against business (who sees the tiny link at the bottom for rebuttal? you, dear reader, are rare), complaints are never removed and their effects can only be minimized by paying RipOff Report thousands of dollars under its Corporate Advocacy Program. Lately the public is getting in the act, throwing up dubious or completely false complaints in the hope of shaking down businessmen themselves. That's plainly what Wendy is doing here. She is an unemployed mother of two living on disability (which didn't stop her from making repeated trips to the Dominican Republic to visit her boyfriend) who was engaged to a Dominican national who had a multiple arrest record. She saw a chance to use a trumped-up gripe (which really makes no sense at all) and ignore all we had done for her to shake a little money from my firm through internet blackmail (a common use of RipOff Report lately). She's a hyper-needy and at times delusional user of the con to get what she thinks she is entitled to in life. Think of the currently notorious Nadya Suleman and you'll have a pretty good picture of Wendy as well.
Wendy in fact received far more service than she was entitled to. She was an extremely difficult client to deal with and the case had indicia of a sham marriage in the making. I was horrified when our Alabama office (now closed) took the case. The previous attorney had numerous contacts with Wendy, I had numerous telephone conversations with Wendy, with her father (who we were trying to enlist as a co-sponsor because Wendy could not meet the minimum income requirements of the visa) and she had a huge amount of contact with our firm. Wendy was constantly writing us to report that her fianc had been arrested once again and looking for us to fix the situation, even though of course we could do nothing (by the way, we would have been well within our rights to insist on a higher fee after this very serious complexity occurred after the client hired us; we did not). Finally she suggested that her fianc could pay a bribe to the police to get his record cleaned. We became very concerned that he would do just that and, although we continued to perform all our obligations under the contract, we of necessity started to put some distance between our firm and any attempt by the client to deceive the U.S. Embassy. A couple of our warnings follow:
12/16/07
Wendy,
We have a very serious problem here. An attorney is not allowed to represent a client (I'm speaking of [fianc name deleted] now, not you) who is not telling the truth, either to the attorney or the government. He has to come completely clean with us right away, or we will be forced the withdraw from the representation.
We need a complete list of his convictions (this includes ones that were later "cleaned", as you put it, from his police certificate). We also need to know exactly what the crimes were.
He must not pay anyone to remove crimes from his record (this doesn't help, anyway, because they are still crimes for U.S. immigration purposes).
We need to see his current (accurate!) police certificate.
Very truly yours,
John F. Roth
Law Offices of John F. Roth
3/10/2008 (2 days before her fiance's interview)
The reason for the delay is that we still haven't received an accurate and reliable list of arrests of Jhon hey. What I finally decided to do was send you the forms with a continuation sheet listing the arrests. You will write in the arrests later. Our firm name is not on any of the forms because we can not sign off on forms that will be modified later by the client. The lack of our name and signatures will not effect the processing of the forms, however. The Consulate will accept them.
A word of warning: if we find out that either of you have been less than honest about Jhon hey's arrest record, will remove ourselves from the case. We have heard so many stories by now that we scarcely know what to believe anymore.
====
I think Wendy got the idea for a shake-down when she saw that another women, also married to a person with an arrest record, made a compliant against us on RipOff Report. That woman and her fiance were judged to be untruthful in the end by a U.S. Embassy (as I predicted in my rebuttal, months before it actually happened). You would think this is our specialty area U.S. women with bad boy foreign fiancs but in fact these two cases are the only such cases we've had in years. Both tried to rip us off, and both ended up on RipOff Report. Birds of a feather, I guess. We'll certainty be careful to avoid this flock in the future.
You'll note that Wendy is still miffed that I haven't paid her the money I "stold" from her. I refused on principle the first time, and I continue to refuse. In fact, very few people read these kinds of reports because there are far more reliable ways to evaluate a lawyer and in each of those forums a potential client will see dramatically opposite reviews of my firm than Wendy portrays. A serious person can contact the New York State Bar Association to check my record, can see the hundred of testimonials on my web site, or can visit other web forums where my performance is evaluated and you will get exactly the opposite impression than what Wendy tries to create in her latest attempt to get money for nothing.
It's a pity that lawyers don't have any place to go to to complain about bad clients. If you handle as many cases as we do per year, you run into some real beauties eventually. In fact, though, most of our clients are great. But that's why we have to push back from time to time on the one or two who want to elbow out anyone else who wants our attention. It's tough, too, because we want ever client to leave our practice happy. With some people, it just seems impossible, though.
Wendy
Sun Prairie,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
John F Roth, To Date No Response, No Concern For Money He Has "TAKEN", And Another Rip Off Report Has Been Filed
#7Author of original report
Thu, December 11, 2008
I am the original person to file this report, and thought I would just update that, to date, I have still not heard any feed back from Mr Roth in regards to my complaint (only of what I have originally posted already). But I have noticed in searching, that Mr. John F. Roth and Associates have had yet "ANOTHER" report filed. Now there are a total of three reports filed in regards to his bad business ethics. Reports filed are numbers:
#362705
#393227
#277237
Please Beware Folks, this man is not reputable, and has no concern for his clients, and this is evident with the reports that have been filed.
Wendy
SUn Prairie,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
Response To Anonymous In Mobile Alabama
#7Author of original report
Wed, September 17, 2008
No one said he did not have a Law Degree, Mr. Roth (from his own mouth) stated "Michael P. Poles never bothered to pick up a law book". which I believe, because just about all info that he had given me was "NOT" correct. Here is the complaint e-mail I sent to Mr. Roth:
Re: Could You Please Forward To John Roth/Having Problem With Alabama Office
Thursday, May 3, 2007 9:00 PM
From:
"WENDY
Add sender to Contacts
To:
immigration@ttorney.com
Message contains attachments
E-mails and Responses.doc (280KB)
Hi Mr. Roth,
My Name is Wendy, I am writing you today because I am having problems with getting questions answered from the Alabama office. It is in regards to co-sponsor information that I need answered and have still to this day have not heard anything back. A while back Michael Poles stated that I "would" be able to combine incomes of the co-sponsor(s) and myself. Then I had found something on the USCIS official site that stated different. I finally had everything together and ready to go (you will see in attachment) based on what he had told me. Now, I have questioned him about what I had came across and I still have not heard anything back (approx 1 month and 2 weeks). I am not much of a complainer and I am sorry that I am bothering you with this, but I truly believe that enough is enough. I hired you guys based on yours and my conversation (I am sure you do not remember) but I felt very comfortable when speaking to you that, I really believed that I would be in good hands. I have had a few problems with them getting back to me in the past, but because I am basically a push over I just delt with it and just said it was due to them being busy. But now I am feeling like I have wasted my money. When I did not get a response to questions I had, I would end up researching things myself. I had also asked Gay Lynn if they have had people going through Dominican Republic before, she stated yes. Though I could not prove it, I believe that this is not true. They had no idea about the Extensive waiting list for an interview in the DR, and the Embassy package they sent me had instructions that said to call this number to schedule a interview once my fiance has obtained all the information needed. The SDO Consulate has not been having people call this number for the past 2-3 years, I believe it was 2004 to be exact they quit doing this. I know there are many big changes that have started in this consulate, one being the elimination of the back log. In order to try and do this they are now having the NVC obtain all the information needed for the interviews. Once all the information has been received by the NVC, they will then schedule your appointment and send your information to the consulate, this in turn is going to help, (along with other things) eliminate the long waiting list for an interview. So I am expecting the list to start moving faster over the next few months. With this being said, I need to know these answers to my questions about co-sponsor. So my question to you is...... seeing as I have paid for full services and "one co-sponsor, am I able to get monies back that were not used? If not can you at least change me to someone who cares about trying to help me?? I have attached a copy of 11 e-mails, 4 of which were replies. Please take the time to read and understand where I am coming from. The are short e-mails with the dates and times. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Wendy
P.S. If after you read the e-mails, you truly think that I am over reacting, then please tell me, I am an understanding person, maybe I am missing something here.
Here are the 11 e-mails that lead up to this one:
1st e-mail
Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2007 18:36:22 -0700 (PDT)
From: "WENDY Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: RE: I need this information ASAP
To: mpoles@bellsouth.net
Hi Michael,
This is Wendy, my kids and I just got back from a month in Dominican Republic. I am writing to you today because awhile back you had told me that the co-sponsor and I can combine our total incomes. But I was just looking through the official site for USCIS to pass some time and found this:
Who can be a joint sponsor, and when is a joint sponsor allowed?
If the visa petitioner's household income is not sufficient to meet the requirements of INA section 213A and 8 C.F.R. 213a, INA section 213A permits a joint sponsor to sign an affidavit of support, in addition to the affidavit of support signed by the visa petitioner. A joint sponsor is someone who is willing to accept legal responsibility for supporting your family member with you. A joint sponsor must meet all the same requirements as you, except the joint sponsor does not need to be related to the immigrant. The joint sponsor (or the joint sponsor and his or her household) must reach the 125 percent income requirement alone. You cannot combine your income with that of a joint sponsor to meet the income requirement.
Is this true???? Or is this outdated or something?? I have everything finally squared away for the co-sponsor and was going to get all paper work together once my fiance was 12,000 on the waiting list and send it to you, he currently is 24,757. Now I need to know if I have to start looking all over again for someone who makes the total amount alone, and if I do, I need to start this NOW. Please get back to me soon, thank you, Wendy.
2nd e-mail
Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2007 21:11:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: "WENDY Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: Re: Change of number for Fiance
To: gsmith31666@bellsouth.net
Hi Gay Lynn,
Just wanted you to know that Fiance has a new number, he lost his other phone so had to buy a new one. The new number is XXX-XXX-XXXX. Do you inform Immigration?? If not is there anything that I need to do???? Thanks, Wendy.
1st Response
From: "Gay Lynn Smith" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
To: "'WENDY
Subject: RE: Change of number for Finace
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:47:20 -0500
Any news on a co-sponsor????
Sincerely,
Gay Lynn Smith
Legal Assistant
Roth & Associates
3rd e-mail
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 15:55:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: "WENDY Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: Re: Yes
To: gsmith31666@bellsouth.net
Hey Gay Lynn,
I am/was all set with the sponsors, and was going to send all information in to you once Fiance reached 12,000. But I just wrote Michael 2 days ago about something I read on the Official site of USCIS, which states:
Who can be a joint sponsor, and when is a joint sponsor allowed?
If the visa petitioner's household income is not sufficient to meet the requirements of INA section 213A and 8 C.F.R. 213a, INA section 213A permits a joint sponsor to sign an affidavit of support, in addition to the affidavit of support signed by the visa petitioner. A joint sponsor is someone who is willing to accept legal responsibility for supporting your family member with you. A joint sponsor must meet all the same requirements as you, except the joint sponsor does not need to be related to the immigrant. The joint sponsor (or the joint sponsor and his or her household) must reach the 125 percent income requirement alone. You cannot combine your income with that of a joint sponsor to meet the income requirement.
He had told me a while back that I could "COMBINE" the incomes of me and any sponsors. So I was all set and ready to go and sending you the papers in a reasonable time. But now I am waiting to hear from him on if this stuff is true or out dated or what is going on. I need to know NOW if I have to start looking "All Over Again" for someone who covers the income requirement alone, or if I can in fact combine all incomes, Wendy.
4th e-mail
Sorry Gay Lynn,
I forgot to mention also that Fiance has quite a bit of time to wait, he had started at 27,165 when he first got on the list on Dec 29th, and as of now (still waiting for March update list) he stands at 24,727. He has not moved much in the two months he has been on the list, and at the rate that Santo Domingo Consulate is moving on average (1,000 - 1,500 per month) he is not going to have his interview for "at least" 18 more months. This month they had less interviews scheduled (a lot less) because of the amount of emergency cases they had to deal with. He did not even make moving 500 places on the list this month. But the answer to your question (if I heard anything about the sponsor) yes, for sure, if I can combine incomes, you will receive all information needed , along with another payment for another co-sponsor once he hits 12,000. If I can not combine then I am not ready with a co-sponsor, and I need every single minute to find one by the time he reaches 12,000. Wendy.
2nd Response
From: gsmith31666@bellsouth.net Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
To: "WENDY
Subject: Re: Re: Forgot to mention
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 8:05:13 -0400
Yes dear, you can combine
3rd Response
From: gsmith31666@bellsouth.net Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
To: "WENDY
Subject: Re: Re: Yes
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 8:11:32 -0400
I will double check this with Mike and let you know later today.
5th e-mail
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:55:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: "WENDY Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: Re: Ok
To: gsmith31666@bellsouth.net
Hey Gay Lynn,
Thanks for getting back to me, if I sound stressed out, it is only because "I AM". Thanks again for getting back so quick, Wendy.
4th response
From: "Gay Lynn Smith" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
To: "'WENDY
Subject: RE: Yes
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 13:32:29 -0500
Dear Wendy:
We are double checking (researching) this issue.
Sincerely,
Gay Lynn Smith
Legal Assistant
Roth & Associates
6th e-mail
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:23:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: "WENDY Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: RE: Wendy
To: gsmith31666@bellsouth.net
Dear Gay Lynn,
Just got your other e-mail saying that you are researching the issue. Please don't forget about me cause I really need to know asap. I wait to hear from you, thank you, Wendy.
This Was The Last Time I heard From them (March 21st, 2007)
7th e-mail
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 06:28:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: "WENDY Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: Re: Wendy/Fiance
To: gsmith31666@bellsouth.net
Dear Gay Lynn,
I last contacted you and Michael on March 21st, 2007, then called and spoke to Michael via phone on the 23rd in regards to the combining incomes of two sponsors. Michael assured me (promised) that he would call me as soon as he found out. It is 1 day short of a month from my last contact with you guys and I still have not heard nothing. I know that the USCIS site stated that I could not combine the income of "ME" and the Co-Sponsor, but it did not say as to whether or not I could combine the income of "TWO Co-Sponsors". I would appreciate an update even if the answer is not known as of yet, Thank you.
Sincerely,
Wendy
This report is based on John F Roth and Associates, and at the time of me hiring them, Michael P. Poles was working with the firm. They are all incompetent, and no concern about their clients, only the money, once they have it, they could care less what happens. If Mr. Roth would have accepted responsibility for his mess up and offered to "at least" some compensation for it, I could of lived with that, but he is so greedy that he could not even give me the money back for the I 134 (co-sponsor form) that "I paid to have them fill out" and "NEVER" received!! $250, can you believe a man who makes "plenty of money", would not even pay back a measly $250 for work they "DID NOT" do?? Pretty sad to me that this man has no morals whatsoever. Does anyone find it a bit funny that the rebuttal to me was by "Anonymous from Mobile Alabama"?? Just a little food for thought.
Anonymous
Mobile,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Response to Wendy
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, August 27, 2008
Michael P. Poles has not worked for John F. Roth & Associates since July 2007.
Mr. Poles is a my attorney, and did a wonderful job for my case. I had immediate turn around. No problems of any kind were encountered.
Mr. Poles does have a law degree. I have been in his office and have seen his law degrees.