Restaurateur pleads guilty to hiring, housing illegal immigrants
Victoria E. Freile
September 23, 2009

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A Rochester man who knowingly employed and housed illegal immigrants pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court.



Makhan Singh, 47, yesterday pleaded guilty to inducing illegal immigrants to remain in the United States, a felony, U.S. Attorney Kathleen M. Mehltretter announced today.


According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, who handled the case, Singh told U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa that, between December 2006 and December 2007, he allowed nine illegal immigrants to work for him in his restaurants and live on properties he provided. Singh also admitted that he knew the nine were not permitted to legally reside in the United States at the time, Lee said.


Singh owned and operated various Thali of India restaurants throughout the Western District of New York.


The plea was the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs.


Singh is scheduled to be sentenced in U.S. District Court at 9:15 a.m. Dec. 23. He faces a maximum term of five years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000, Lee said.


VFREILE@DemocratandChronicle.com


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