Anna Sorokin
(Picture: AP)The fake German heiress, Anna Sorokin, who inspired a Netflix series about swindling her way into high society can be moved to house arrest to fight deportation, a judge has ruled.
Sorokin, 31, spent three years behind bars after posing as a wealthy German heiress to con banks, hotels and friends into bankrolling a posh lifestyle.
The fraudster has been in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody since March 2021, after her release from prison for convictions of larceny and theft.
Immigration officials argue she has overstayed her visa and must be returned to Germany.
Manhattan Immigration Judge Charles Conroy said she could be moved to house arrest to fight deportation if she posts a $10,000 (£8,900) bond, gives the address of where she would be staying, and does not post on social media.
Sorokin’s lawyer, Duncan Levin, said his client was “extremely gratified" by the decision.
“The judge rightfully recognised that Anna is not a danger to the community," Mr Levin said in a written statement.
“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."
Sorokin’s fraudulent activities came to widespread attention when they were featured in the Netflix documentary, Inventing Anna.
Using the name Anna Delvey, Sorokin managed to ingratiate herself into elite New York social circles by passing herself off as a socialite with a $67m (£59m) fortune overseas, prosecutors said.
She falsely claimed to be the daughter of a diplomat or an oil baron.
Prosecutors said Sorokin faked records and lied to get banks to lend her money, and tricked luxury hotels to let her stay.
She also convinced well-heeled New Yorkers to cover plane tickets and other expenses for her, stealing $275,000 (£245,000) in all, they said.
She was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison, and was released on good behaviour in February 2021, having served three years.
Immigration authorities then picked her up a few weeks later and placed her into custody.
