BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) — A Houston couple has been sentenced to federal prison for operating an employment agency that for years found work in restaurants across the country for people in the U.S. illegally.
Fifty-eight-year-old Chenglun Ma and his wife, 55-year-old Lina Sun, were sentenced Thursday in federal court in Beaumont to 13 months and 18 months, respectively. They also were ordered to forfeit a residence and pay a $2.2 million judgment.
They both pleaded guilty in June to federal racketeering charges.
Prosecutors say the two enlisted workers for placement in more than 1,000 Chinese restaurants in 29 states.
The couple was among about 30 people indictedon charges they transported and harbored people in the country illegally.
- Posted February 17, 2015
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Couple sentenced for securing jobs for illegal workers

headlines Macomb
- Macomb County Meals on Wheels in urgent need of volunteers ahead of holiday season
- MDHHS hosting three, free virtual baby showers in November and December for new or expecting families
- MDHHS secures nearly 100 new juvenile justice placements through partnerships with local communities and providers
- MDHHS seeking proposals for student internship stipend program to enhance behavioral health workforce
- ABA webinar November 30 to explore the state of civil legal aid in America
headlines National
- Protecting fair and impartial courts is a key tenet of ABA advocacy
- 2nd Circuit decision upholding New York’s gun liability law is ‘massive victory,’ state AG says
- Is this the year for associate raises?
- Try estate law for a practice with work-life balance, says ‘Lifestyle Lawyer Revolution’ author
- Disbarred lawyer who disappeared is sentenced for stealing client money, including funds for woman’s care
- Twin daughters of BigLaw couple among Texas flood victims; ‘we are devastated,’ family says