Thread: AZ-Waterworld manager will face charges in immigration suit

Waterworld manager will face charges in immigration suit
Reported by: Stephanie Snyder
Email: ssnyder@abc15.com
Last Update: 7/21 8:24 pm

PHOENIX - A criminal case involving undocumented immigrants against a Waterworld manager will not be dismissed, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

Former food services manager Lessie Serrano was indicted in December 2008 as the first manager to be criminally charged in an investigation based on the Legal Arizona Workers Act, prosecutors said Tuesday.

The 51-year-old is being charged for one count of Aggravated Taking the Identity of Another, which is a class three felony, and one count of Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, which is a class five felony.

Serrano allegedly accepted documents from her employees that she knew contained fabricated Social Security Numbers and warned her employees that they could be serviced search warrants, according to Spokesman Mike Anthony Scerbo.

Serrano is also accused of allegedly continuing to hire employees that used multiple Social Security Numbers, names and birthdates, while warning them of the presence of Sheriff’s Office deputies conducting searches in the water park.

Several Waterworld employees have already pled guilty to working illegally at the park using stolen identities.

Since December 2008, Serrano has filed many motions for dismissal, but Superior Court Judge Paul McMurdie has refused to allow the case to be dismissed and be sent back to the grand jury.

"This office will continue to prosecute individuals who violate our laws by hiring illegal immigrants,â€

Waterworld manager will face charges in immigration suit
Reported by: Stephanie Snyder
Email: ssnyder@abc15.com
Last Update: 7/21 8:24 pm

PHOENIX - A criminal case involving undocumented immigrants against a Waterworld manager will not be dismissed, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

Former food services manager Lessie Serrano was indicted in December 2008 as the first manager to be criminally charged in an investigation based on the Legal Arizona Workers Act, prosecutors said Tuesday.

The 51-year-old is being charged for one count of Aggravated Taking the Identity of Another, which is a class three felony, and one count of Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, which is a class five felony.

Serrano allegedly accepted documents from her employees that she knew contained fabricated Social Security Numbers and warned her employees that they could be serviced search warrants, according to Spokesman Mike Anthony Scerbo.

Serrano is also accused of allegedly continuing to hire employees that used multiple Social Security Numbers, names and birthdates, while warning them of the presence of Sheriff’s Office deputies conducting searches in the water park.

Several Waterworld employees have already pled guilty to working illegally at the park using stolen identities.

Since December 2008, Serrano has filed many motions for dismissal, but Superior Court Judge Paul McMurdie has refused to allow the case to be dismissed and be sent back to the grand jury.

"This office will continue to prosecute individuals who violate our laws by hiring illegal immigrants,â€