1 hour ago • By JEFF REINITZ
wcfcourier.com

WATERLOO, Iowa --- The operators of a Waterloo restaurant have pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging they harbored illegal aliens.

Yu Jiang, 30, and his wife, Wen "Christy" Xu, 28, both of Waterloo, entered their pleas Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids. A judge tentatively set an Oct. 28 trial date in the matter, and they remain free pending trial.

The two, who operate Hibachi Sushi Buffet on Flammang Drive with Zu Song "Kevin" Wang, were charged Aug. 12 with conspiracy to transport, harbor and encourage illegal aliens for commercial advantage.

Jiang works as the restaurant's manager, and Xu works as a cashier, hostess and bookkeeper, court records state.

The government alleges the restaurant hired busboys, cooks and dishwashers using a Chicago referral agency that advertised in Chinese language newspapers. The workers were paid in cash, housed at a Russell Road apartment leased in Jiang's name and given rides to work, court records state.

In March 2012, agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement searched the restaurant, the apartment and the couple's Orange Road home. They found three illegal workers at the business and another at the apartment. Agents seized about $96,000 in cash from the locations. They also seized $36,000 from the restaurant's bank account.

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