Former CT Woman Pleads Guilty to Lying About War Crimes for U.S. Citizenship

UPDATE: A former Connecticut woman, Nada Radovan Tomanic, has just pleaded guilty to fabricating her involvement in war crimes to secure U.S. citizenship. The 53-year-old, now residing in West Virginia but formerly from Hartford, entered her plea on Monday in federal court in Bridgeport, as confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.

Tomanic is set to be sentenced on February 3, 2024, and faces up to 10 years in prison. This urgent case shines a light on the integrity of the U.S. immigration system, revealing the potential dangers posed by individuals who exploit it.

Federal authorities report that Tomanic served in the Zulfikar Special Unit of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 1990s, a tumultuous period marked by severe conflict. Evidence indicates she participated in the “physical and psychological abuse” of Bosnian Serb civilian prisoners.

When applying for naturalization in 2012, Tomanic denied ever serving in a detention facility or being involved in any situation that involved the detention of individuals. Furthermore, she falsely claimed not to have committed serious bodily harm under the laws of the former Yugoslavia.

“This defendant obtained the privileges of U.S. citizenship through lies and deceit, concealing the violent crimes she committed,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti. He emphasized the Department of Justice’s commitment to holding accountable those who threaten public safety through fraudulent means.

In a shocking twist, during her interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, Tomanic again lied under oath about her military service and criminal history.

“Covering up past human rights abuses to attain U.S. citizenship is an egregious offense,”

said U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan. He praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in both the U.S. and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which led to this significant outcome.

The FBI’s P.J. O’Brien also condemned Tomanic’s actions, stating, “Individuals who lie on their naturalization documents undermine the process for all who justly apply to be a part of our great nation.” O’Brien highlighted the ongoing commitment of the FBI and its partners to investigate similar cases that threaten the sanctity of immigration processes.

This case raises critical questions about the screening procedures in place for potential citizens and underscores the importance of transparency and accountability within the immigration system. As Tomanic awaits sentencing, the implications of her guilty plea are likely to resonate throughout immigration policy discussions.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.