CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — Five people have pleaded guilty to charges that they exploited undocumented immigrant workers at 7-Eleven franchises they operated in New York and Virginia.
Prosecutors say Farrukh Baig, Malik Yousaf, Bushra Baig, Shahnawaz Baig, and Zahid Baig pleaded guilty Monday at the federal courthouse on Long Island.
They pleaded guilty to wire fraud and concealing and harboring illegal immigrants. Prosecutors say the defendants agreed to forfeit franchise rights to 10 stores in New York and four in Virginia
Prosecutors say the defendants hired illegal immigrants and used stolen IDs to swindle more than $2.6 million in wages from the workers.
As part of the guilty plea, the defendants also agreed to forfeit five houses they owned. The homes are valued at over $1.3 million.
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