Danville Man Convicted Of Conspiracy To Commit Money

Laundering And Harboring, Transporting, And Employing Illegal Aliens

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that Wally Nguyen, age 48, of Danville was convicted yesterday in federal court for conspiracy to commit money laundering and to harbor, transport, and employ illegal aliens, as well as separate counts of transporting illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens, and aiding and abetting the unlawful employment of illegal aliens.  The offenses of conviction were committed from January 2004 through January 2008.

     The jury also returned a special verdict ordering Wally Nguyen to forfeit $50,000 to the United States, as well as two properties located in Danville that were used to facilitate the crimes.

     The indictment charged that Wally Nguyen engaged in a conspiracy whereby his conduct acted to promote and conceal the profits of the underlying criminal activity.  That underlying criminal activity involved the operation of a temporary employment agency known as “H&T” which recruited, employed, transported, and harbored an illegal work force.  “H&T” provided hundreds of illegal temporary employees to various businesses throughout the Middle District of Pennsylvania over a period of several years.  In furtherance of the conspiracy, Nguyen knowingly provided housing and transportation for the illegal workers and paid the illegal work force in cash on a weekly basis.  H also engaged in a scheme to defraud the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States Government of revenue.  The scheme included the filing of false Pennsylvania tax documents and the avoidance of reporting requirements.

     Wally Nguyen faces a statutory maximum term of 25 years and fines in the amount of $750,000. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

     The charges resulted from a joint investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General, and the Pennsylvania State Police.

     The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.