Probation for Chesco pair in illegal-visa scheme
Two West Chester residents received five years' probation Tuesday for their role in a conspiracy to provide employers with illegal work visas for immigrant employees.
Two West Chester residents received five years' probation Tuesday for their role in a conspiracy to provide employers with illegal work visas for immigrant employees.
Theresa M. Klish, 50, and Emily V. Ford, 29, worked for International Personnel Resources, a company in West Chester that recruited immigrant workers for clients. Federal prosecutors charged the company improperly obtained hundreds of temporary work visas, and so was able to stockpile visas for illegal workers employed by selected clients. Federal court documents describe how dozens of local companies knowingly participated in the scheme, which ran from 2003 through 2007.
The owner of the firm, Michael Glah, 49, has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
U.S. District Judge Berle M. Schiller also fined Ford $20,000 and Klish $2,000. - Nathan Gorenstein