WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita man has admitted harboring a Chinese teenage girl who was working illegally at his restaurant.
Court records show 33-year-old Yong “Tony” Lin pleaded guilty Wednesday to harboring an immigrant who was unlawfully in the United States. His 29-year-old wife, Zhuo Mei “Mandy” Weng, pleaded guilty to hiding the crime.
The U.S. attorney’s office says the couple will forfeit $8,000 that will go to workers owed back wages.
The case stems from a tip that a minor teenager being housed with other employees at an apartment was working at Lin’s World Buffet Grill.
U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom says in a news release that more such cases are coming to light, and employers who unlawfully hire such immigrants should expect criminal prosecution.
Sentencing is for May 7.