JeffCo Landscaper Used Visa Scam to Lease Foreign Workers to Other Companies

[TexasTowelie]

The owner of a Jefferson County landscaping business acted like a broker for foreign labor, illegally leasing 74 workers to other companies.

William "Bill" Richardet, 64, of High Ridge pleaded guilty on Thursday to conspiracy to commit visa fraud. His company, Cardinal Lawn & Landscape, also pleaded to the same charge.

As part of the scheme, Richardet secured H2-B visas for seasonal laborers by making it look like they would all be working for his company, according to prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Instead, he subcontracted them out to other businesses for a fee.

Cardinal Lawn and Landscape has been in business more than fifteen years, an offshoot of Richardet's family business Bi-State Landscape Supply.

Read more: https://www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblog/2019/08/16/jeffco-landscaper-used-visa-scam-to-lease-foreign-workers-to-other-companies

[logosoco]

1. Oh, this one is very close to home!

This man is from my town. There is another landscaping company down the road from me, but not one of the ones named in the article. But,I wonder if any of the workers were being affected by this. I drive by this place most mornings and I can see the folks working hard and doing a good job. Sometimes I want to stop and say, hey, are you being paid well for this hard work you are doing? Is your boss taking advantage of you in any way?

I'm glad they caught this person. Taking money unfairly from working people is not okay. Too many people don't see it that way though.

[TexasTowelie]

2. Yes, you never know when TexasTowelie will post a thread about a neighborhood near you.