This is a problem all over the country that stems from a misunderstanding of what Notary Public means in the US as opposed to what it means in other countries.

Spanish-speaking notaries often advertise themselves as "notario publicos." This translates to "notary public," but is deceptive because in many Latin American countries notaries have the equivalent of a law license and can represent people in government matters.
The problem arises when individuals obtain a notary public license in the United States and use that license to substantiate representations that they are a ‘notario publico’ to immigrant populations that ascribe a vastly different meaning to the term,” according to the bar association. 

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall should have known better.