Undocumented worker scam helped 28 local contractors, indictment says


Paul Brinkmann Contact Reporter

Orquidea Quezada of Orlando helped workers avoid payroll taxes, indictment says.


At least 28 Orlando area contractors used the services of a local woman charged Saturday with running a scam that allowed the companies to use undocumented workers, federal authorities said Monday.

The arrest happens in an election year, at a time when Donald Trump, Republican candidate for president, has fired up some voters regarding immigration policies.

Orquidea Quezada, 48, processed over $17.4 million of fraudulent payroll since 2013 through her company Orquicely Construction LLC, according to an indictment. She kept a five percent fee, amounting to $870,000, the charges said.

According to the allegations, Quezada ran an office in Winter Park were she processed payroll for subcontractors who employed hundreds of people – many of whom were undocumented immigrants.

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