Immigrants face federal fraud charges

ASSOCIATED PRESS
04/11/2008

ST. LOUIS -- The co-owner of a Kirksville restaurant and six others are accused in a scheme to allegedly use fraudulent Social Security numbers so illegal immigrants could work at the restaurant.

U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway announced the federal indictments Friday. Among those accused is 33-year-old Neftali Lopez of El Vaquero restaurant.

The indictment alleges that Lopez hired his brother-in-law and five others to work at the restaurant, even though he knew they were in the U.S. illegally. He allegedly instructed the employees to obtain false Social Security cards and resident alien cards.

All are accused of conspiracy to defraud, identity theft, and Social Security fraud. Neftali Lopez and Zoraida Lopez are also charged with harboring illegal aliens.

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