United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

CONNECTICUT RESTAURANT CHAIN OWNER PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL IMMIGRATION CHARGE

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANDREW ADAMES, 43, of Oxford, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven to one count of unlawful employment of aliens.

According to documents filed with the Court, ADAMES owns and operates Señor Pancho’s, a chain of restaurants with locations in Monroe, Southbury, Prospect and Litchfield.  Between January 2008 and January 2009, ADAMES employed at least 10 individuals at his restaurants knowing that they were in the country unlawfully and were not authorized to work.

Judge Dorsey has scheduled sentencing for September 18, 2009, at which time ADAMES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.  In addition, ADAMES has agreed to forfeit $150,000 to the Government.

This matter has been investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov