Restaurant Owner Sentenced In Fraud
By Jennifer Feehan, The Blade, Toledo, Ohio |
He admitted to hiring in excess of 200 undocumented workers, giving some of them multiple identities so that they could work extra hours without being paid overtime and could make claims for
"This is not just a case involving the hiring of illegal aliens,"
In between,
Sitting between his attorneys,
"I was sick in 2004. I had an operation. I was not really well and I took on too much," he said. "I trusted the wrong people."
While Elkafrawi said he took responsibility for his misdeeds,
Still,
He also ordered a forfeiture of property, including proceeds from the sale of the seven restaurants, cash, and vehicles.
During the lengthy sentencing hearing, two physicians who treat Elkafrawi testified by telephone that their patient suffered from severe heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and other issues that could be exacerbated by stress such as prison could present.
"I don't want to sound callous but the
"I believe one of the important messages that can be sent is that the hiring and exploitation of undocumented aliens and money laundering will not be tolerated,"
Sixteen co-defendants have entered guilty pleas in the case, including Elkafrawi's wife,
While she was considered a minor player in the conspiracy, her husband was labeled "the mastermind" by FBI Special Agent
Noting that he had not violated the terms of his bond for the past 22 months,
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Source: | McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Wordcount: | 615 |
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