The office of Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper has sued a local man for providing legal services to the city's Hispanic community without a license.

The state says Antioch resident Elmer Virula has, through two business he owns – Tax Professional Services and Office Professional Services – engaged in "unfair and deceptive acts" by incorrectly marketing himself as an attorney and certified public accountant.

At the heart of the case is the linguistic confusion that exists in the Hispanic community over the "notario publico" designation, which in Mexico denotes a highly trained attorney, but whose rough English translation confers only the ability to handle notary functions.

Among other things, the suit accuses Virula of offering to "fix" immigration and tax issues for Hispanic immigrants, in some cases by marrying them here but issuing them California marriage licenses.

The state has filed a motion for a temporary injunction against Virula and his companies. A hearing is set before Circuit Court Judge Hamilton Gayden next Tuesday morning.

To access filings for this case, click here.