In a case shedding light on the complexities of immigration and labor laws, restaurant owner Ping Ping Zheng has entered a guilty plea concerning the employment and harboring of undocumented workers. Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announced the plea, which involves Zheng's evasion of immigration law for profit at her Kamiya 86 Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar in Jacksonville Beach.
The Department of Justice reports that Zheng, age 37, could face up to a decade in prison after admitting to the illegal employment of individuals not authorized to work in the United States. Additionally, part of the plea deal includes the surrendering of Zheng's residence and a transit van to the U.S. government. A sentencing date remains on the horizon, but undecided.
This case surfaced because of investigations led by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol, with a helping hand from the local Jacksonville Beach Police Department. The workers were given rent-free housing and transportation between their home and the restaurant, and free meals on workdays. It was also found that Zheng paid the employees in cash – sidestepping protocols for tax withholding.
Zheng's transgressions, as described in the plea agreement, state she did not verify or require the workers to present documentation confirming their eligibility to work legally within the country. Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier is tasked with prosecution, highlighting that Zheng's actions were aimed at commercial advantage, and private financial gain.
