Business Owner Indicted for Hiring, Hiding Illegal Immigrants

POSTED: 5:07 pm CDT April 21, 2008
UPDATED: 10:53 pm CDT April 21, 2008


COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- A federal grand jury has indicted the owner of a Council Bluffs clothing distribution company for hiring and harboring scores of illegal immigrants.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by KETV NewsWatch 7, Daryl Leise ignored inquiries from the Social Security Administration, dating back to 2002.

A federal investigation found employees of American Clothing Co. were employed using Social Security numbers in use by others in the United States. Two workers were employed with the Social Security numbers of deceased Americans.

American Clothing Company was raided by federal agents in March.

The company gathers donations from collection boxes, many of which are labeled as VFW boxes. Investigators said illegal workers sort donations for resale. The clothes are distributed to one of the company's five area Thrift World stores or sent to Guatemala or Honduras, documents show.

Leise wouldn't comment.

Previous Stories:
March 26, 2008: ICE Makes Raid On Council Bluffs Clothing Company
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