Sushi restaurant kept modern-day slaves, AG says
Rocky Mountain News
Originally published 03:05 p.m., May 13, 2008
Updated 03:05 p.m., May 13, 2008
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Jessie Kwon
Photo by r
YounJo Kwon
A Colorado couple are accused of forcing two South Korean immigrants to work without pay at their sushi restaurant.
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers and the FBI say that Young Jo Kwon, 43, and his wife, Jessie Kwon, 41, who formerly owned and operated Denver’s Osaka Sushi, allegedly threatened employees Jaihee Jo Hong and Jong Chul Choi with the revocation of their “sponsorship,” which the Kwons claimed would result in the subsequent deportation of the employees’ families.
Jaihee Jo informed the FBI that Young Jo Kwon claimed ties to the Korean mafia, and Kwon allegedly told Choi “he knew how to hurt someone who did not obey.”
The couple were charged with five counts of theft and forgery.
Between 2000 and 2005, the Kwons are accused of depriving Jaihee Jo Hong of more than $19,000 in overtime wages. The couple is alleged to have deprived Jong Chul Choi of more than $90,000 for four years of unpaid labor. Young Jo and Jessie Kwon are also accused of forging employee tax and labor forms.
The Kwons have sold their interests in Osaka Sushi, and now own Sushi Moon, located at 6585 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. in Greenwood Village. The defendants were held in Denver County Jail before posting $10,000 bonds. They were arraigned on Friday and will appear before the Court again on May 30.
According to the FBI, human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery and is a rapidly growing problem in the U.S. that typically involves aliens and economically disadvantaged victims. Trafficking cases have been identified in a number of everyday industries, including prostitution, exotic dancing, construction, agriculture, restaurants, and domestic services. Any citizen who would like to report possible civil rights violations should contact the Denver division of the FBI at 303-629-7171.
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May 13, 2008
3:48 p.m.
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RickyLee writes:
These clowns need to go to jail, along with anyone else who employs ILLEGAL ALIENS.
Funny the RMN didn't mention the "slaves'" immigration status.
May 13, 2008
4:11 p.m.
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motard_city writes:
Funny how the first comment is some xenophobe more than happy to bash on the foreign immigrants. THEY'RE TAKING OUR RESTAURANT WORKER SLAVERY JOBS! SEND 'EM BACK!
May 13, 2008
5:30 p.m.
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Novo writes:
"Funny the RMN didn't mention the "slaves'" immigration status."
Actually it did. Try focusing a little harder when you read.
May 13, 2008
6:12 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
they didn't employ them though, as that would imply they were paid.
so what do you say about that?