Press Release: Tancredo Calls on ICE to Reinstate Agent VoorhisAgent was acquitted of any wrong doing in legal caseBy Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO), April 11, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (WASHINGTON, DC) - U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colorado) today called on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) to reinstate agent Cory Voorhis after he was acquitted of all charges in a legal case stemming from his involvement in the Colorado governors race of 2006. The jury found that Voorhis did not exceed his authorized level of access in disseminating information on then-Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter. “I ask that ICE review the case and then order the immediate reinstatement of Cory Voorhis to his position with full back pay,” Tancredo said. The Federal Bureau of Investigation found, through a forensic examination of Voorhis’ computer, that agent Voorhis did not commit any illegal activities. Voorhis has proven himself as an exceptional agent within ICE, especially in a recent Mexico-based fraudulent document ring. Tancredo concluded, “Cory Voorhis has been vindicated in a court of law. The leadership at ICE needs to step up and do the right thing.” A copy of the letter is below: # # # # April 11, 2008
Ms. Julie L. Myers Dear Assistant Secretary Myers: On Wednesday afternoon, a jury in U.S. District Court in Denver acquitted ICE agent Cory Voorhis on all charges. I am writing to ask that you personally review the case and then order his immediate reinstatement to his position as a senior investigator in the 1811 series, with full back pay from the date of his suspension. I also suggest your agency offer agent Voorhis the choice of returning to his previous job with the Denver office of ICE or a transfer at the same pay rate to a position with Deportation and Removal Operations, either in Denver or elsewhere. I believe the previous head of DRO, John Torres, knows Mr. Voorhis personally from his days in Denver and is well aware of his outstanding record. ICE agent Cory Voorhis was suspended without pay in January, 2008, pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings against him. Now that he has been totally exonerated of any wrong-doing, he deserves to be reinstated to his previous position with full back pay. Mr. Voorhis' ordeal should not be aggravated or extended by agency managers unwilling to admit a mistake. Cory Voorhis' suspension without pay was based upon a significant error made by OPR investigators. Agent Manny Olmos incorrectly reported to ICE management that Cory accessed the NCIC/CCIC systems through the use of the TECS (Treasury Enforcement Communication System). This was incorrect, which was subsequently testified to by Olmos during the trial. Olmos said in his testimony that Cory Voorhis never used TECS when running the criminal history for the seven names. Voorhis accessed NCIC through the web-based portal, never using TECS whatsoever for this purpose. This was verified by the FBI when they conducted a forensic examination of Cory's government computer. Moreover, in the trial, the government's own witness testified that Voorhis did not exceed his authorized level of access in this case. Thus, Voorhis suspension without pay was based on incorrect information and has no basis in law. Cory Voorhis has been vindicated in a court of law. The leadership at ICE needs to step up and do the right thing. As the agency's leader, you should take steps now to prevent lower management officials from pursuing a vendetta against this veteran agent. Cory Voorhis was one of the two leading investigators in the Pedro Castorena case, a Mexico-based fraudulent document ring that produced millions of fake identification documents across 15 states. Agent Voorhis' skills and accomplishments in developing that case were so outstanding that despite the charges against him, in 2007 he was brought to Washington, DC to brief agency leaders on the case. His record as an outstanding ICE investigator is widely acknowledged. I have met with ICE regional office managers many times and also have had numerous conversations with individual ICE agents. It is my firm opinion that Cory Voorhis is widely respected and admired by his fellow ICE agents for his integrity, courage and professionalism. If you will take the time to look into this matter personally, I am confident you will come to the same conclusions and act to restore him to his rightful position in the agency. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Tom Tancredo |