The former manager of the Thatched Cottage in Centerport pleaded guilty Wednesday to forced labor conspiracy and forced labor.
Roberto Villanueva, 64, of Huntington faces up to 20 years in prison, as well as restitution and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.
Federal authorities said that Villanueva admitted that workers at the catering hall were brought from the Philippines to the United States on H-2B visas that expired shortly after their arrival. Once their H-2B visas expired, Villanueva coached workers how to apply for student visas by fraudulently representing that they intended to attend school full time and had sufficient resources to support themselves during school.
Villanueva admitted that at times he deposited funds in the workers’ bank accounts to give the appearance of ample resources, and then withdrew the funds once the student visas were approved.
When workers objected to performing certain jobs, working consecutive shifts or not being paid promptly, Villanueva threatened to report them to immigration authorities. Villanueva admitted that his actions were in concert and agreement with Ralph Colamussi, the former owner of Thatched Cottage. Colamussi pleaded guilty in September 2018 to forced labor of employees and is awaiting sentencing.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York; Michael Mikulka, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, New York (DOL-OIG); and Patricia A. Menges, Director, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, New York Asylum Office (USCIS), announced the guilty plea.
Built in 1920, the Thatched Cottage closed in 2014, sold and has been rebuilt as Water’s Edge by new owners.