Six people in Massachusetts are facing charges over a marriage fraud ring involving up to 20 sham marriages designed to help foreign nationals obtain legal status.

Jennifer Gonzalez, 43, is accused of being the ringleader and paying five other defendants to participate in the ceremonies, with several taking part in multiple weddings. Immigrants paid between $38,000 and $40,000 for each fake marriage.

All six defendants face charges of marriage fraud, conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, harboring illegal aliens, and conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens, federal prosecutors said.

"What an affront the alleged conduct revealed here today must be to those who play by the rules," U.S. Attorney Leah Foley told reporters.…