Topline
Anna “Delvey” Sorokin, the fake German heiress whose alleged scams were turned into a hit Netflix TV show, has been freed from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in New York after spending over a year there and has been granted house arrest as her battle to stay in the U.S. plays out, the Daily Beast reported Wednesday.
Anna Sorokin sits at the defense table during jury deliberations in her trial at New York State … [+]
Key Facts
U.S. Immigration Judge Charles Conroy granted Sorokin, 31, a $10,000 bond, which she has not yet posted, her lawyer Duncan Levin told the Daily Beast.
The ruling, obtained by the Daily Beast, noted Sorokin will face “24-hour confinement at the provided residential address for the duration of her immigration proceedings,” though it’s not clear where she will live during this time.
Sorokin cannot post on social media “either directly or by a third party,” the ruling stated, something she does often to promote her artwork, though it’s unclear how she has access to the platforms directly or if someone is posting on her behalf.
Conroy ruled Sorokin “has demonstrated interest in pursuing legitimate employment” in the U.S., “pursuits that will face heavy public scrutiny,” and that her notoriety makes her “risk of flight sufficiently mitigated.”
Sorokin is appealing both her deportation and her criminal conviction.
Forbes has reached out to a representative of Sorokin for comment.
Crucial Quote
“The judge rightfully recognized that Anna is not a danger to the community,” Levin told the DB. “While there are still a few hurdles to jump through on her release conditions, Anna is thrilled to be getting out so she can focus on appealing her wrongful conviction.”
Key Background
Sorokin was accused of scamming hotels, banks and friends out of money while living a lavish lifestyle and trying to start a social club, the Anna Delvey Foundation, which she maintains was legitimate. She was convicted of grand larceny, attempted grand larceny and theft of services in 2019, and was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison. After being released on parole in 2021, Sorokin, a German citizen, was detained by ICE only six weeks later for overstaying her visa. She remained at Orange County jail in Goshen, New York, while she appealed her deportation to the country. In February, she wrote in an essay for Insider that her “visa overstay was unintentional and largely out of my control.” Sorokin has had several different legal teams working on her immigration case. Her most recent lawyer, Duncan Levin, has accused her former attorney Audrey Thomas of withholding court files related to the case. In March, it was reported that Sorokin was being deported to Germany, until her legal team at the time told Forbes they filed a stay of deportation. Sorokin has been making and selling art while in prison and launched her first gallery show in March, which she did not attend.
Big Number
1 million. That’s how many followers Sorokin has on Instagram.
Further Reading
Anna ‘Delvey’ Sorokin’s First Solo Art Show Will ‘Tell Her Side Of The Story’ (Forbes)
Anna ‘Delvey’ Sorokin Remains In ICE Custody Amid Court Challenge To Deportation (Forbes)
Anna ‘Delvey’ Sorokin Is Reportedly Being Deported To Germany (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/10/05/anna-delvey-sorokin-granted-house-arrest-amid-immigration-battle/