Vinton restaurant owner pleads guilty to harboring illegal workers

A 43-year-old Vinton restaurant owner pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to harboring illegal workers and filing a false tax return.

Chan Duong, co-owner of Peony Family Restaurant, along with co-owner Phung Ca Long, 41, provided employment, transportation and places to live for the illegal immigrants who worked in the restaurant, according criminal information.

Duong also filed a false tax return in 2007 in which he didn't report more than $400,000.

Between October 2004 and November 2008, Duong and Long conspired to harbor multiple illegal workers for commercial and personal financial gain, according to court records.

Duong faces up to a maximum of 13 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Long pleaded guilty last month to conspiring to harbor illegal workers for commercial gain and making false statements to Medicaid relating to health care. She admitted to making false statements to get a health care benefits valued at $23,716 from Medicare.

Long faces up to 15 years in prison, a $500,000 fine and restitution of $23,716.

In addition to these criminal charges, the government will pursue the civil forfeiture of real and personal property of Duong and Long.  This includes real estate in Vinton and in California, Florida, and Illinois, and a forfeiture of more than $750,000 in cash, two cars and over 50 pieces of jewelry.  These civil cases will proceed separately from the criminal cases.