Parretti Labels INS Remarks ‘Inaccurate’

The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service made “blatantly inaccurate” statements about MGM-Pathe Communications owner Giancarlo Parretti when it revoked his visa for allegedly failing to disclose a lengthy criminal record in his native Italy, the embattled financier said in a statement Sunday.

The INS announced Friday that it had pulled Parretti’s U.S. visa because agency officials reportedly said the mysterious Italian businessman had lied about his criminal record in a 1982 visa application to the United States, according to a wire service report.

But Henry Brattlie, INS deputy district director in Philadelphia, denied in an interview that he said Parretti had lied to the INS. Brattlie did, however, acknowledge that “the criminal arrests in Italy were a point of questioning during the inspection interview.”

He added that the INS “cancelled Mr. Parretti’s visa because he withdrew his application for admission to the United States.” Parretti entered the United States on Aug. 21 to attend a trial in Wilmington, Del., over control of MGM.

Parretti and his lawyer, Harvey Weinrieb, met with INS officials for seven hours in Philadelphia last week to answer questions about his application for entry into the United States. The INS had requested the meeting after Parretti arrived in Wilmington.

Weinrieb called the INS announcement “unfair and unreasonable” and said it ran counter to the understanding they had with agency officials after their meeting concluded Friday. He said the INS announcement about Parretti’s U.S. visa being revoked “contained inaccuracies,” which Weinrieb did not elaborate about.

Richard Kline, Parretti’s spokesman, said Weinrieb told him “when they left, the INS said there wasn’t a problem on his visa application.” Kline said Parretti and his lawyer would call for an investigation of the INS action and make an appeal through the Justice Department as well as “elected officials.”

Parretti was convicted in Italy in connection with a fraudulent bankruptcy case dating to 1984; he was sentenced to 24 months in prison. He is currently appealing that conviction.

The INS gave Parretti a two-week grace period to remain in the United States and complete the trial in Wilmington, Del., where control of MGM is at stake. The trial is in recess until Sept. 23. Kline said Parretti has returned to Los Angeles.

Parretti is trying to regain his position as MGM chairman at the trial in Delaware, where the movie studio is incorporated.