DENVER — Colorado’s attorney general has reached a settlement with a Colorado Springs-based company accused of practicing law without a license while advertising family and immigration services.

On Monday, Attorney General Phil Weiser announced a regulation was contacted by Maleni Munguia, owner of One Connection LLC, and his employee, Noely Diaz, after an investigation by the Consumer Fraud Unit of the Colorado Department of Law.

An investigation into the firm revealed that Munguia and Diaz were illegally practicing immigration and family law without a license.

Settlement Rules

Based on the regulations, Munguia will have to:

• Pay restitution in the amount of $20,000, which will go to consumers who were harmed by One Connection’s deceptive marketing practices
• Submit tax returns and a report of its business activity for the next two years
• Pay an additional $50,000 if she violates this agreement

Additionally, Munguia and Diaz agreed to shut down One Connection and refrain from assisting in immigration or family law matters except under the supervision of a licensed attorney, and to remove individuals who request from immigration and family law assistance to a licensed attorney.

“One Connection has repeatedly violated Colorado’s consumer protection law by exercising the right without a license, endangering the safety and livelihoods of vulnerable people,” Weiser said. “These regulations reflect Colorado’s commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring businesses operate ethically and within the law.”

the trial was filed after an investigation by the Colorado Department of Law’s Consumer Fraud Unit revealed evidence that Maleni Munguia and his company, One Connection LLC, as well as employee Noely Diaz, had not disclosed that the firm was not licensed to practice law in Colorado.

Under the Colorado Consumer Protection Law, individuals must obtain all necessary licenses to provide services to consumers. According to Weiser, Munguia and Diaz targeted and misled vulnerable communities, including undocumented and non-English speaking people.

The lack of low-cost legal services to meet the needs of Spanish-speaking communities has created an opportunity for unlicensed lawyers, also known as “notaries,to step in and promise consumers the help they need to resolve complex immigration, family and legal issues. The lawsuit against One Connection is part of the Department’s efforts to investigate and arrest notary fraud.