Carwash owner admits to illegal hiring

Manager also takes federal plea deal

Written by
Susan Shroder
12:01 a.m., Jan. 22, 2012

SAN DIEGO — The owner and manager of a Rancho Peñasquitos carwash have admitted in plea agreements that they knowingly hired undocumented workers, federal officials said.

Ju Hea Kim, 54, owner of Betty’s Car Wash on Carmel Mountain Road, and manager Sun Jae Lee, 51, each pleaded guilty Thursday to felony conspiracy charges, U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy said.

The two acknowledged that for a year beginning Sept. 15, 2010, they conspired to hire at least 10 people who were not authorized to work in the United States.

The guilty pleas are subject to final acceptance by a federal judge before or at sentencing. Kim is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 17, and Lee on April 2.

The plea deal calls for the business to forfeit $85,610 in earnings and for both men to pay a fine. Prosecutors will recommend an eight-month prison sentence for Lee, while Kim faces revocation of his visa and deportation to South Korea, Duffy said in a statement.

Kim and Lee were arrested Oct. 12 following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Carwash owner admits to illegal hiring | UTSanDiego.com