Simon Guobadia is a Nigerian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and executive producer, but he may have been best known as Porsha Williams‘ ride-or-die second husband. The 59-year-old burst onto the Real Housewives of Atlanta scene when he was first married to one of Porsha’s friends, Falynn Guobadia. Since 2007, Simon has made his money as the founder of Simon & Company — now called Simcol Petroleum Limited Company. It supplies refined fuels in the southeast United States. Before starting his own business, the father of five and husband to none was a CPA. But is there a more sinister way he makes his money? Let’s take a look.
What Was Simon Accused of?
Thanks to court documents shared by All About The Tea, RHOA fans are getting to know Simon on a deeper level. But not everyone likes what they’re hearing. It turns out that he was allegedly denied American citizenship after it was learned that Simon was a Nigerian scammer with multiple convictions for credit card fraud and identity theft. Simon reportedly came to the USA as a Nigerian businessman on a six-month visa in 1982. But he returned to Nigeria in 1985 after overstaying the visa.
After marrying his first wife, Karron English, who was an American citizen, he applied for “Adjustment of Status” in 1985. He was denied citizenship because the government believed the marriage to be a sham after his ex told INS they lived together. In 1996, Simon returned to the United States on a new six-month visa. However, he once again failed to leave before it expired. I have to ask, “Why the U.S. Government gave him so many visas? Wasn’t he red-flagged?” The outlet also reported he was arrested in 1987 for felony bank and credit card fraud.
Simon Isn’t a Straight Shooter
Simon was busy between 1988 and 1991. In 1988, Simon applied for temporary resident status under a program called Special Agricultural Worker (SAW). But he used a fake ID on the application and failed to be open about his criminal past. As part of the program stipulates, Simon was eventually granted his green card in 1992. Still, the circumstances were fraudulent, which resulted in him being forcefully removed from the United States under his other identity, which has yet to be made public. It didn’t help that in 1989, Simon was arrested again for unauthorized use of a vehicle and in 1990 for fraud.
But in a shocking turn of events, Simon applied for naturalization under his second identity. In 2016, the ex-husband of Porsha tried to have his application transition his green card to U.S. citizenship. But, once again, it was denied because his “temporary resident status was unlawfully granted.” Fast forward to 2020 and 2022, and Simon was denied again. He filed a complaint to challenge the decision in 2023, but it was denied in early 2024.
The United States immigration courts revealed to Simon that his application was rejected due to not being “lawfully admitted for permanent residence,” which was a reference to his fraudulent 1988 SAW application. His current temporary resident status has been based on a lie and a totally different identity.
Did He Use Porsha?
I can’t help but feel Simon may have married Porsha in hopes of solidifying his anchoring in America. Even though the couple do not have children together, it feels like he could have been hoping Porsha’s star power would have held some weight with immigration. I don’t think there is any way that Porsha also didn’t know about her husband’s sketchy background, especially if lawyers were being consulted. The divorce could be a lie in hopes of saving all his money from being taken by Porsha if she was deported.
I feel like RHOA Season 15 will give us Teresa Giudice and Joe Giudice vibes. We may be watching another deportation saga play out on the small screens. Porsha could also be setting herself up for a cushy Bravo paycheck, which she might desperately need if her ex is deported.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF SIMON’S FRAUDULENT BACKGROUND?
