Yong Min Choe, a 55-year-old Long Island businessman, has taken a plea deal for harboring and exploiting undocumented immigrants at his Brentwood 7-Eleven store.
Choe, who operated the store since March 2004, knowingly hired individuals without authorization to work in the United States and allowed them to use false Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information.
Between 2004 and November 2019, Choe paid his employees sub-standard wages and enriched himself at the expense of his undocumented workers.
As part of the plea deal, Choe is facing up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to twice the value of the gross gain, which could amount to millions of dollars.
Choe has also agreed to forfeit over $1.3 million in assets that represent proceeds of the offense.
According to U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue, Choe’s actions were a blatant exploitation of his convenience store and his employees, who were forced to work long hours for sub-standard wages.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Choe’s guilty plea marks a significant victory for law enforcement agencies in their efforts to protect immigrant workers and prevent labor exploitation.
Choe’s sentencing is pending, and he will be held accountable for his actions, which have left a trail of financial and emotional devastation for his victims.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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