Thread: MA:Woman Convicted of Illegal Alien Worker Frauds

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Andover woman convicted of faking asbestos training

BOSTON -- Federal prosecutors say hundreds of immigrant workers were sent on asbestos removal jobs without required training by a Massachusetts woman convicted of falsifying their records.

The U.S. Attorney's office announced Thursday that 39-year-old Albania DeLeon of Andover was found guilty of selling fake safety training certificates to illegal immigrants who did asbestos removal and failing to pay federal employment taxes for them.

From about 2001 to 2006, DeLeon operated a certified asbestos training school and a temporary employment agency in Methuen. Prosecutors estimated between 65 percent and 80 percent of those certified were not trained.

She was convicted Wednesday of one count of conspiracy, five counts of making false statements, 16 counts of procuring false payroll tax returns, and five counts of mail fraud. The mail fraud counts carry maximum 20-year sentences, the others five years each. Sentencing is set for Feb. 17.

http://www.topix.com/wire/news/immigration/p10

Jury convicts asbestos school president of issuing fake certificates to illegal immigrants
November 25, 2008 6:00 AM

A federal jury has convicted the president of a Methuen asbestos training school of selling training certificates to hundreds of illegal immigrants who had not completed the required training course.

Prosecutors said several people who received the fraudulent certificates were illegal immigrants from New Bedford. They worked overseeing asbestos removal at demolition and construction sites throughout Massachusetts.

Albania Deleon, 38, is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 17 in U.S. District Court in Boston.

She faces more than 20 years in federal prison after being convicted Thursday on a host of charges that include conspiracy to make false statements, encouraging illegal aliens to reside in the United States and hiring illegal aliens.

In closing arguments, U.S. Attorney Jonathan F. Mitchell said Ms. Deleon "cheated the system" by procuring fake driver's licenses and Social Security cards for her employees.

She paid them "under the table" and neglected to report their payroll information to the Internal Revenue Service or her workers compensation insurers, prosecutors said.

"She did this to skip out on payroll taxes and insurance payments.

"The majority of people on her payroll were illegal immigrants who needed money and were willing to forgo asbestos training so they wouldn't lose a week's pay."

From 2001 to 2006, Ms. Deleon owned and operated Environmental Compliance Testing, one of the largest certified asbestos training schools in Massachusetts.

Prosecutors said she routinely issued asbestos certificates to people who did not attend required training courses or pass the test. She arranged for them to receive fraudulent certificates in exchange for $400.

The regular cost of the course and exams was $350.

"The potential health risks associated with untrained workers doing this kind of work is very disturbing" said Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Office of Investigations in Boston.

"Couple this with the fact that most of the employees were in the U.S. illegally with unknown backgrounds, and you have a mix that makes for a significant public safety threat."

www.southcoasttoday.com