East Valley philanthropist deported in plea deal

The day Sonia Falcone has been dreading has finally arrived. The Paradise Valley philanthropist and socialite is leaving the U.S. today with her three young children.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Sonia says farewell

Her departure is part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, stemming from a misdemeanor charge of hiring foreign workers not legally authorized to work for her.

But the former international beauty queen, described by friends as a gracious and generous benefactor, didn’t leave town quietly.

Falcone, who’s called the East Valley home for the past decade, wanted one last evening with her Arizona friends before she temporarily resettles her family in Beijing, China.

“I want them to know how appreciative I am of their friendship,” said Falcone, who spoke exclusively with the Tribune last week at the private dinner party she threw for 70 of her friends at the Calvin Charles Gallery in downtown Scottsdale.

Dressed in a black-and-white strapless gown, the elegant Falcone faced a bittersweet good-bye last week with an ever-present smile. She strode into the gallery beaming, greeting her guests with a hug. She spoke animatedly, with traces of her native Bolivia accenting her words.

Falcone’s departure closes a dark chapter in a seemingly charmed life — a chapter marred by court battles and news media scrutiny.

Her troubles began in early 2006 when federal prosecutors, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office, alleged Falcone fraudulently obtained an alien registration card by engaging in marriage fraud. Prosecutors alleged Falcone’s first marriage in the early ’80’s, when she was in her late teens, was a sham, said her attorney Grant Woods. She later married second husband billionaire businessman Pierre Falcone in 1994.

The indictment also alleged Falcone made a false statement on an immigration form when she was applying for U.S. citizenship. Falcone, who was never granted citizenship, was charged with unlawful possession of an immigration document, perjury, making a false statement in an immigration document and attempted unlawful procurement of naturalization.

Falcone was also charged with employing workers at her multimillion dollar Paradise Valley mansion who were not legally authorized to work for her.

“The workers were not illegal. They were here on religious visas,” said Woods, adding Falcone met them at church.

Three felony charges carried maximum terms of 10 years, while the perjury charge carried a maximum five-year sentence.

Those charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement in which Falcone pleaded guilty to hiring unauthorized workers and was ordered to leave the country. According to a spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Falcone is barred from visiting the U.S. for the next 10 years.

Some of Falcone’s supporters allege she was targeted because of her current husband, who has lived overseas the past several years and gained international attention in the early ’90’s for his alleged involvement in an illegal arms trafficking deal to Angola. Falcone served time in a French prison but has never been charged or convicted, according to international media reports.

U.S. authorities have denied the indictments against Sonia Falcone had anything to do with her husband.

Falcone’s friends and family said they were stunned by the outcome.

“We don’t think it’s fair. We couldn’t believe it,” said Sonia’s brother-in-law, Harold Weisheim of Phoenix, married to Sonia’s sister, Perly.

“It’s a misappropriation of justice. She’s been a tremendous asset to our community,” said friend Bob Machiz of Scottsdale, alluding to Sonia Falcone’s long-time philanthropic efforts in Arizona, which include the De Colores Domestic Violence Center in Phoenix, the Arizona Opera, American Heart Association and Phoenix Children’s Theatre.

Charity organizers and friends say Falcone was not only generous, but very hands-on with the charities she supported.

“She’s a person who cared about our program,” said Maricela Flores, operations manager at the DeColores Domestic Violence Center.

Flores said Falcone, whose been contributing to the center the past seven years, donated funds to build a library at the center and paid for computers and furniture. Falcone also made a point to celebrate Mother’s Day yearly with center residents, bringing lunch, gifts and a mariachi band.

Falcone was also known for throwing a “Christmas Extravaganza” for Hispanic families throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. Through donated funds and her own money, Falcone would provide a full breakfast and toys to about 10,000 families during the holiday season, said personal assistant Elizabeth Kordek.

Falcone said she plans to continue her work with these charities from abroad.

In the meantime, it seems she has come to terms with her fate.

“If I stop and think about it, I could cry. I am human,” said Falcone, adding taking care of her children and looking forward to the family’s reunion with Pierre in Beijing, is diverting her mind from her current troubles.

Falcone has not seen her husband face to face since January 2006, when U.S. authorities started limiting her travels, but speaks with him daily by phone said Kordek.

Falcone said she started painting to help deal with the stress and vent her emotions.

One painting, a black-and-gold tunnel entitled “Destiny,” symbolizes hope, she said.

“At the end of the tunnel there is always light,” said Falcone, who debuted her art at the Calvin Charles Gallery.

Falcone’s friends say her devout Christian faith is also helping her get through this tough time.

“People may look at her clothes and parties, but she’s very spiritual,” said friend Nuria Carte of Paradise Valley.

Falcone said she doesn’t hold a grudge against the U.S. judicial system.

“I believe they are doing their job,” said Falcone, adding what’s important now is making a smooth transition for her American-born son and two daughters.

Falcone said she hopes to return to the U.S. one day.

“I will not say good-bye to my friends,” said Falcone, “I will say, ‘See you later.’”