BOSTON – A former top U.S. Department of Homeland Security official convicted of encouraging her Brazilian housekeeper to remain in the United States illegally has been granted a new trial by a judge in Boston who said he erred in his jury instructions.
U.S. District Court Judge Douglas Woodlock said in a 50-page order released Wednesday his jury instructions in Lorraine Henderson's trial were "inadequate."
Henderson was a regional director of homeland security, customs and border protection responsible for stopping illegal immigrants from entering the country through Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. She made $140,000 per year.
Henderson was convicted in March 2010 but has not been sentenced.
Her lawyer tells The Boston Globe (http://b.globe.com/IwwvtJ ) she's "elated" with the ruling. He says she has been working at a pet store.
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Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.boston.com/globe
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