Thread: CO: Restauranteur Faces Charges Of Housing Immigrants

Restauranteur Faces Charges Of Housing Immigrants
Feb 6, 2008

Written by Rick Sallinger

DENVER (CBS4) ― The owner of a chain of Denver area Chinese restaurants is apologizing to his patrons and his community and now plans to plead guilty to charges of employing illegal immigrants.

A naturalized citizen from China, Louie Li would appear to be a shining example of the American dream. He lives in an exclusive subdivision above Castle Rock in a home that Douglas County values at more than $900,000. Li owns the restaurant South Garden, which has locations in Castle Rock, Parker and Denver.

In addition to being a restauranteur, Li is an owner of multiple properties. Records CBS4 examined show five homes in his family's name in Castle Rock, plus one in Parker. The total value of the properties is $2.3 million.

Residents of the quiet, family-oriented Douglas County neighborhood where Li owns a home first became suspicious of activity there when a number of Spanish speaking men began moving in and out of the house.

Neighbors discovered several people were living on mattresses on the concrete basement floor. They would walk to work nearby at Li's restaurant in Parker.

Suddenly realizing the issue of illegal immigration might be striking very close to home, residents gathered together for an informal meeting and decided to keep a close watch on on their new neighbors and their own children.

They later told federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement that in one incident one of the Hispanic males offered beer to a neighborhood child and in another a male made suggestive comments to a neighbor's wife.

More men identified as illegal immigrants were found at a townhouse owned by Li near his restaurant in Castle Rock.

"I thought there were too many people living in one spot and they were all males and I thought that was a little suspicious," one neighbor told CBS4.

The workers told immigration authorities after contacting Li that they were allowed to sleep in his homes for free so long as they agreed to work in his restaurants.

CBS4's Rick Sallinger approached Louie Li and asked him about the case.

"Is it proper to put up illegal immigrants on mattresses in a basement of a home?"

Li did not respond at that time. However a statement later issued by Li's attorney Michael Axt states:

"Mr. Li provided adequate housing at minimal expense to the workers. It should be noted that Mr. Li treated them well, but had no control over the workers' conduct once they left the restaurants in the evenings."

The statement said the labor force initiallly provided Mr. Li with sufficient workers, mostly of Chinese heritage, but due to a shortage of workers willing to travel to Parker and Castle Rock Li later hired undocumented workers.

The illegal immigrant employees claimed they worked up to 60 hours a week and were paid in cash below the minimum wage.

Internal Revenue Service spokesperson Jean Carl said this kind of arrangement may violate tax laws.

"It's a very scary problem because there's a lot of people in this country who are undocumented and if they are hired and they are undocumented there are several laws being broken here," Carl said.

An investigation and arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement resulted in felony charges against Li and three other members of his family.

CBS4 News has learned a plea deal has now been worked out in which they have agreed plead guilty to misdemeanor charges of employing illegal aliens, to serve no prison time and pay a fine totalling $150,000.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Denver said the plea deal is being offered because there was no indication that the illegal workers had been mistreated or abused and because the defendants had no prior record.

Through his statement, Li also issued an apology: "Mr. Li apologizes to his loyal patrons and their respective communities for these lapses in judgement. Mr. Li also wants to assure the public that he is now in full compliance with all legal requirements pertaining to hiring practices."

The illegal immigrants who lived in the suburban communities are being held for deportation.

Li remains free on bond and is still able to live in his luxurious Castle Rock home.

http://cbs4denver.com/investigates/Li.S ... 47606.html

CBS4 News has learned a plea deal has now been worked out in which they have agreed plead guilty to misdemeanor charges of employing illegal aliens, to serve no prison time and pay a fine totalling $150,000.

This is completely unacceptable.

$2.3 million in property gained through illegal activity. He should be fined, jailed and ALL assets sold with proceeds going to ICE.