BY MATT MANNING
Port Clinton News Herald
January 22, 2010
TOLEDO -- The owner of eight Casa Fiesta restaurants faces charges stemming from July 2008 raids by federal agencies.
Ramon Ornelas, 42, of Norwalk, is charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with eight counts of harboring and concealing illegal aliens, three counts of mail fraud and seven counts of subscribing to a false tax return.
According to information filed Thursday by the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Ornelas owned Casa Fiesta restaurants in Youngstown, Vermilion, Ashland, Norwalk, Fremont, Oberlin, Oregon and Sandusky.
"These criminal charges represent (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)'s firm commitment to holding employers accountable for brazenly ignoring immigration laws as it relates to their work force," said John Morton, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary for immigration and customs enforcement. "In order to create a culture of compliance among businesses, ICE will take the necessary actions, including leveling both criminal and civil fines against employers."
The Mexican restaurants were raided July 23, 2008, which resulted in the arrests of 58 undocumented Mexican employees.
Seven illegal employees were arrested at the Fremont restaurant, 2455 Hayes Ave.
Immigration agency spokes-man Khaalid Walls said all 58 arrested have either been deported or will be.
"Every case is unique," he said. "This is a significant case."
The information filed Thursday alleges Ornelas employed undocumented workers, failed to obtain proper immigration documents and sometimes provided them places to live.
According to the report, Ornelas routinely paid workers in cash without withholding FICA and Medicare taxes and submitted falsified documents to the state Department of Job and Family Services.
The Department of Justice report alleged Ornelas filed false tax forms, not claiming undocumented workers and underreporting taxes. The department also alleges he underreported the number of workers at the restaurant, resulting in underpaid taxes to the state for unemployment insurance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Bauer could not be reached for comment.
The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Department of Labor and the Office of Inspector General were involved in the investigation.
http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/article/20100122/NEWS01/1220302
