MIAMI – In a crushing blow to those who think they can skirt the law, two operators of several Key West, Florida, labor staffing companies have been slapped with prison sentences totaling over three years for tax and immigration-related crimes.
At the center of the scandal are Zdenek Strnad and Vasil Khatiashvili, who helped run a series of labor staffing companies that facilitated the employment of non-resident aliens in hotels, bars, and restaurants in Key West and elsewhere. But here’s the kicker: these companies didn’t withhold federal income taxes or Social Security and Medicare taxes from the workers’ wages, and they didn’t report the wages to the IRS.
U.S. District Court Judge Jose E. Martinez for the Southern District of Florida took a hard line, sentencing Strnad to 44 months in prison and Khatiashvili to 38 months in prison. But that’s not all – both men will also have to serve three years of supervised release and pay $1,836,960.68 in restitution to the United States.
This case is a stark reminder of the consequences of tax evasion and immigration crimes. The Department of Justice is cracking down on those who think they can get away with these types of crimes, and they should be commended for their efforts.
The investigation into the labor staffing companies was a joint effort between Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Miami Field Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and the Justice Department’s Tax Division prosecuted the case.
Khatiashvili and Strnad’s co-defendant, Petr Sutka, was previously sentenced to 48 months in prison on March 18. This case is a clear message to anyone thinking of engaging in similar activities – the consequences are real, and the Department of Justice is watching.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe said, ‘The Department of Justice will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who engage in tax evasion and immigration-related crimes. These sentences demonstrate our commitment to holding accountable those who think they can get away with these types of crimes.’
This case is a stark reminder of the importance of following the law and paying your taxes. Don’t think you can get away with it – the Department of Justice is watching, and the consequences are real.
For more information on this case, visit the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 23-CR-10015.
Related Federal Cases
- Florida Labor Staffing Execs Sentenced to 3+ Years for Tax, Immigration Crimes · Florida
- Florida Trio Busted in $20M Workers’ Comp & Alien Labor Scam · Florida
- Toledo’s Tax Scheme: Owner of Immigration and Tax Service Group Indicted on 16 Counts · Florida
- Key West Tax Man Gets 18 Months for Fraud · Florida
- Sacramento Waste Firm Hit with Tax Payback Order · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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