“These defendants took part in a modern day slavery scheme that victimized vulnerable individuals for profit,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “Forced labor robs victims of their freedom and their dignity, and it will not be tolerated in the United States. We will continue the aggressive prosecution of cases like this.”
According to court documents, Simon pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and fraud in foreign labor contracting. Simon actively supervised foreign national workers knowing that many of these workers were recruited with false promises and were coerced to work by threats of deportation and other adverse immigration consequences. Abdoollayev, who pleaded guilty to racketeering, assisted in the recruitment of foreign national workers, solicited hotels for housekeeping positions in which the foreign national workers were placed by the criminal enterprise, and laundered proceeds of the criminal enterprise. Ikramov, who pled guilty to wire fraud, fraudulently misrepresented the criminal enterprise’s payroll in order to defraud companies of insurance premiums.
Multiple co-defendants have previously pleaded guilty in connection with the case. On Aug. 18, 2010, Andrew Cole pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and fraud in foreign labor contracting. Ilkham Fazilov pled guilty on Aug 9. 2010 to racketeering conspiracy for his role in aiding and abetting others in the scheme. Jakhongir Kakhkharov pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy on March 17, 2010. Alexandru Frumusache pled guilty on Oct. 7, 2009 to forced labor trafficking. Abdukakhar Azizkhodjaev pled guilty on June 18, 2010 to misprision of a felony. Trial for the remaining defendants is set for Oct. 18, 2010.
simon was a victim too. He was on H2B visa also, and was forced to work in GLS office. USA attorney didn't mention that, too bad becouse this person is not guilty, and all this was made to make this case too look good, like an international conspiracy. USA justice is blind or its working for PR.
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