By John Beauge
on June 17, 2016 at 4:49 PM, updated June 17, 2016 at 7:19 PM

WILLIAMSPORT — An operator of a State College restaurant has admitted conspiring to hire, harbor, conceal and transport undocumented immigrants.

Besides the conspiracy count, Ming Fong Cheung, 42, of State College pleaded guilty Friday in U.S. Middle District Court to a charge of defrauding the United States and commonwealth by use of the mail.

Eight owners of other Asian-cuisine restaurants in State College previously were prosecuted for similar activity.

The charges against Cheung, which cover the period 2005 to 2013, are sealed because a co-defendant is a fugitive, Assistant U.S. Attorney William Behe said.

Cheung, who operated the College Buffet in the 1600 block of Atherton Street, admitting paying undocumented workers in cash and keeping two sets of books.

He entered his plea with the help of an interpreter.

A June 12, 2014, sweep of Asian-cuisine restaurants in State College revealed one set of books in the College Buffet containing the names of U.S. citizens, none of whom worked at the restaurant, Behe said.

The other set contained the names and cash payments to undocumented immigrants working in the restaurant, he said.

On at least eight occasions a New York City accounting firm prepared false federal and state tax returns that were submitted by mail, he said. The result was underpayment of taxes, the prosecutor said.

Like in the earlier case, the workers were obtained through an employment agency in New York City, Behe said.

Cheung could receive up to 30 years in prison. But if he receives credit for acceptance of responsibility, his term likely would be in the range of 18 to 20 months, similar to what the others got, Behe said

Judge Matthew W. Brann released Cheung on $20,000 unsecured bail with the requirement he surrender his passport.

http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/06..._oriental.html