Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) filed a civil forfeiture complaint against assets relating to a potential $126 million illegal staffing and money laundering operation in Ohio.
ICE and other law enforcement agencies executed search warrants in Moraine at Fuyao Glass America (FGA) and another 27 locations around Dayton.
The civil complaint alleges around 40 suspects harvested, transported and employed illegal aliens into America from Mexico. These illegal immigrants worked at FGA factories.
Many of the illegal immigrant workers were from China and Mexico. They allegedly lived in “family style hotels” and were driven to and from work.
The complaint alleges the suspects engaged in money laundering by hiding millions of dollars in income generated by these illegal immigrants.
ICE’s press release says FGA allegedly paid over $126 million to LLCs controlled by these suspects. This money allegedly went to purchase real estate, vehicles, and luxury goods.
The federal government is trying to seize seven bank accounts, 12 properties in Dayton and two properties outside of Ohio, 15 vehicles, and luxury goods.
“We will continue to investigate allegations of unfair labor practices,” said ICE HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “Collaboration across multiple law enforcement agencies helps to ensure accountability for both employers and the workforce.”
In January, the Department of Justice fined an Ohio meat packing plant almost $4 million after a hiring manager stole American citizens’ identities and gave them to illegal immigrants who were not eligible to work in America.
This is not the first time this meat packing company has gotten in trouble for doing this.
Between 2013 and 2018, the federal government arrested Fresh Mark employees who used stolen identities to gain employment.
In 2018, federal authorities arrested 146 illegal immigrants who worked for Fresh Mark in Salem, Canton, and Massillon. Thirty of these individuals were charged with various immigration violations in federal court.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at zschmidt1717@gmail.com. Follow Zachery on Twitter @zacheryschmidt2.
Photo “Fuyao Glass America” by Fuyao Glass America.
