U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio have moved to file a civil forfeiture complaint related to a possible $126 million illegal staffing and money laundering operation. The announcement was made on April 14 in Dayton, Ohio.
The investigation began in July 2024 when ICE Homeland Security Investigations, in cooperation with Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations and other agencies, carried out federal search warrants at Fuyao Glass America in Moraine, Ohio, and at 27 other sites around the Dayton area.
The civil complaint accuses several suspects of creating around 40 entities, referred to as "target entities," to facilitate the harboring, transport, and employment of illegal aliens at various factories. These entities allegedly staffed factories with individuals who entered the United States illegally and lacked employment authorization. Fuyao Glass America in Moraine is one such factory mentioned in the allegations.
It is further claimed that the workforce included individuals primarily from China and Hispanic countries, who were smuggled into the U.S. via Mexico. These workers were purportedly put up in "family-style hotels," and transported to their workplaces by the target entities.
Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge of ICE HSI Detroit, stated, "We will continue to investigate allegations of unfair labor practices. Collaboration across multiple law enforcement agencies helps to ensure accountability for both employers and the workforce."
The complaint details allegations of money laundering by the target entities to hide their income. Upon receiving payments from Fuyao Glass America, the suspects are said to have quickly wired funds between various LLCs. Fuyao Glass America reportedly paid over $126 million to these LLCs, with money used for the suspects' financial gain, including buying real estate, vehicles, and luxury items.
On April 2, a civil complaint was filed seeking forfeiture of multiple assets: seven bank accounts, 12 properties in and around Dayton, two properties outside Ohio, 15 vehicles, and luxury items, such as a Cartier watch.
The announcement included statements from Jared Murphey of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit, Kelly A. Norris, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigations. The case is supported by various agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, and Ohio State Highway Patrol, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam C. Tieger and Deborah D. Grimes representing the United States in the civil action.
