09/27/2010 // WPB, FL, USA // Personal Injury Lawyers News // Nicole Howley
West Palm Beach, FL—Two Boca Raton business owners pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges after being accused of enslaving Filipino workers, as reported by the Palm Beach Post.
The U.S. Justice Department reported that the owners of Quality Staffing Services Corporation, Sophia Manuel, 41, and Alfonso Baldonado Jr., 45, pressed Filipino nationals to work for little or no pay, and forced the workers to sleep on kitchen and garage floors. The workers were only given rotten vegetables and chicken innards as food. The business owners also threatened to deport the workers.
On Friday, September 24, 2010, Manuel and Baldonado Jr. pleaded guilty to conspiring to hold the 39 Filipino workers in compelled service at country clubs and hotels in South Florida.
Manuel also pleaded guilty to making false statements to the U.S. Department of Labor. Manuel lied in an application so that she could get foreign labor certifications and visas.
The slavery occurred between June 3, 2006, and February 2008. The enslavement finally ended when 13 workers ran away
A sentencing date is still pending.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Florida human trafficking lawyers.
Media Information:
Address:
Phone: 561-247-1646
Url: http://NicoleHowley.visionsmartnews.com/fl-human-trafficking-2-boca-raton-business-owners-plead-guilty-to-slavery_2561.html
