The French Gourmet Inc., indicted recently for knowingly making false attestations on I-9 Forms, hiring employees unauthorized to work in the U.S., and employing those aliens after learning of their ineligibility to work. U.S. v. The French Gourmet Inc.

1. 1
2
3
4
5
6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
7 SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFHCALIFORNIA
8 June 2008 Grand Jury
9 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) Case No. '10 CR 1 4 17 W
)
10 Plaintiff, )
)
11 v. Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 371 -
)
Consp~racy; Title 8, U.S.C.,
)
12 THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. (1) , Sec. 1546(b) (3) and 2 - False
)
MICHEL MALECOT (2), ) Attestation; Title 8, U.S.C.,
13 RICHARD KAUFFMANN (3), ) Sec. 1324 (a) (1) (A) (iii) - Harboring
) Illegal Aliens; Title 8, U.S.C.,
14 Defendants. ) Sec. 1324a(a) (1) (A) and (f) (1) -
) Pattern and Practice of Hiring
15 ) Illegal Aliens; Title 8, U.S.C.,
) Sec. 1324a(a) (2) and (f) (1) -
16 ) Pattern and Practice of Continuing
) to Employ Illegal Workers; Title 8,
17 ) U.S.C., Sec. 1324(b) and Title 18,
) U.S.C., Secs. 982 (a) (6) and 982 (b)-
18 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ) Criminal Forfeiture .
19 The grand jury charges:
20 INTRODUCTORY ALLEGATIONS
21 At all times material hereto:
22 1. Defendant THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. a corporation based in
23 San Diego, California, operated a bakery and catering business
24 throughout San Diego County.
25 2. Defendant MICHEL MALECOT, a naturalized United States
26 citizen, was the owner and president of The French Gourmet, Inc.
27 3. Defendant RICHARD KAUFFMANN, a naturalized United States
28 citizen, was a manager at The French Gourmet, Inc.
RSK:nmc(l) :San Diego
04/15/10
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. (Posted on 04/29/10).

2. 1 4. A Form I:... 9, Employment Eligibility Verification Form (an "I-
2 9 form"), is an immigration document that employers are required, by
3 law, to complete for each employee in order to document that a new
4 employee is authorized to work in the United States.
5 a. Section 1 of the form is to be completed and signed by
6 the employee at the time the employee is hired. Section 1 requires
7 personal identifying information for the employee and an attestation,
8 under penalty of perjury, by the employee that helshe is a citizen or
9 national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, or an
10 alien authorized to work. If Section 1 is prepared by a person other
11 than the employee or is translated to the employee, the form requires
,
12 the signature and attestation, under penalty of perjury, of the person
13 who assisted in the completion of the form.
14 b. Section 2 of the I-9 form, "Employer Review and
15 Verification," requires the employer to examine evidence of identity
16 and employment eligibility within three days of employment, and to
17 list the documents provided by the employee for employment
18 verification. Section 2 contains a certification section for the
19 employer to attest, under penalty of perjury, that the employer has
20 examined the documents presented, that the documents appear to be
21 genuine, and that to the best of the employer's knowledge, the
22 employee is eligible to work in the United States.
23 5. A "No-Match" letter is a letter sent to employers from the
24 Social Security Administration containing a list of social security
25 numbers of employees who the employer reported on its taxes, but for
26 whom the social security number did not match the employee's name.
27 II
28 II
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. 2(Posted on 04/29/10).

3. 1 Count 1
(Conspiracy; 18 U.S.C. § 371)
2
6. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 5 above
3
are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
4
OBJECTS OF THE CONSPIRACY
5
7. Beginning on a date unknown to the grand jury and continuing
6
up to and including on or about December 31, 2008, within San Diego
7
County, within the Southern District of California, and elsewhere,
8
defendants THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., MICHEL MALECOT, and RICHARD
9
KAUFFMANN, did knowingly and intentionally conspire together and with
10
each other and with other persons known and unknown to the grand jury,
11
to commit the following offenses against the United States:
12
(A) To knowingly make or use a false attestation on an
13
employment eligibility Form 1-9, for the purpose of
14
satisfying a requirement of Section 274A (b) of the
15
Immigration and Nationality Act, in violation of
16
Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1546(b) (3).
17
(B) To knowingly and intentionally engage in a pattern and
18
practice of hiring for employment in the United States
19
aliens, knowing the aliens to be unauthorized with
20
respect to such employment, in violation of Title 8,
21
United States Code, Sections 1324a(a) (1) (A) and
22
1324a(f) (1) .
23
(C) To knowingly and intentionally engage in a pattern and
24
practice of continuing to employ aliens in the
25
United States, knowing the aliens to be unauthorized
26
with respect to such employment, in violation of Title
27
8, United States Code, Sections 1324a(a) (2) and
28
1324a (f) (1) .
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931.3 (Posted on 04/29/10).

4. 1 MANNER-AND MEANS BY WHICH THE OBJECTS
2 OF THE CONSPIRACY WERE TO BE ACCOMPLISHED
3 6. It was part of the conspiracy that MICHEL MALE COT , RICHARD
4 KAUFFMANN, and other individuals known and unknown, hired aliens who
5 had not received prior official authorization to come to, enter, work
6 and/or reside in the United States to work at THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.
7 7. It was further part of the conspiracy that managers at THE
8 FRENCH GOURMET, INC., including RICHARD KAUFFMANN, would certify (or
9 have someone else within THE FRENCH GOURMET certify) on the I-9 that
10 the employer has examined the documents presented, that the documents
11 appear to be genuine, and that to the best of the employer's
12 knowledge, the employee is eligible to work in the United States.
13 8. It was further part of the conspiracy that the employee's
14 information would then be entered into the payroll system and the
15 employee would receive a paycheck for their work.
16 9. It was further part of the conspiracy that, after THE FRENCH
17 GOURMET, INC. and MICHEL MALE COT received "no match" letters from the
18 Social Security Administration advising them that the social security
19 numbers provided by certain employees did not match the names,
20 managers at THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., including RICHARD KAUFFMANN,
21 would then "hire" the same undocumented alien again with new
22 employment documents, including social security cards.
23 10. It was further part of the conspiracy that managers at THE
24 FRENCH GOURMET, INC., including RICHARD KAUFFMANN, would falsely
25 certify (or have someone else within THE FRENCH GOURMET falsely
26 certify) on the I-9 that the employer examined the documents
27 presented, that. the documents appeared to be genuine, and that the
28 employee is eligible to work in the United States.
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. 4(Posted on 04/29/10).

5. 1 11. It was further part of the conspiracy that MICHEL MALECOT ,
2 on behalf of THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., would pay the undocumented
3 employees with cash instead of by paycheck after receiving the no-
4 match letter and while the new paperwork was pending.
5 OVERT ACTS
6 I n furtherance of said conspiracy and to effect and accomplish
7 the obj ects thereof, the following overt acts, among others, were
8 committed within the Southern District of California:
9 12. On or about October 16, 2004, RICHARD KAUFFMANN hired
10 Antonio Cruz-Cortes, a.k.a. Antonio Cruz-Cortez, a.k.a. Mariano Cruz,
11 to work at THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., and executed an 1-9 attestation
12 in connection with the hiring, falsely certifying Cruz's eligibility
13 for emplOYment using social security number xxx-xx-1240.
14 13. On or about March 31, 2005, THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.
15 received a "No-Match" Letter from the Social Security Administration
16 indicating that social security number xxx:-xx-1240 used on the 1-9
17 certified by THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. in connection with the hiring
18 of Cruz was not valid.
19 14. Following THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.'S receipt of the
20 March 31, 2005 "no-match" letter, KAUFFMANN told Cruz to get a new
21 social security number.
22 15. Between approximately April 2005 and December 2005, MICHEL
23 MALECOT, on behalf of THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. paid Cruz in cash.
24 16. On or about February 1, 2006, an employee acting on behalf
25 of and for t~e benefit of THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. executed another
26 1-9 attestation falsely certifying Cruz's eligibility for emplOYment
27 using the alias "Mariano Cruz" and a different social security number,
28 xxx-xx-7867.
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. 5 (Posted on 04/29/10).

6. 1 17. Following the execution of the 1-9 on or about February 1,
2 2006, THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. paid Cruz by paycheck for the remainder
3 of 2006.
4 18. On or about November 27, 2004, KAUFFMANN hired Vicente
5 Ortega, a.k.a. Vicente Ortega-Corona, to work at THE FRENCH GOURMET,
6 INC.
7 19. On or about March 1, 2005, an employee acting on behalf of
8 and for the benefit of THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. executed an 1-9
9 attestation falsely certifying V. Ortega's eligibility for emploYment
10 using social security number xxx-xx-3508.
11 20. On or about April 14, 2006, THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.
12 received a "No-Match" Letter from the Social Security Administration
13 informing THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. that social security numbers xxx-
14 xx-3508 used on the 1-9 certified by THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. in
15 connection with the hiring of V. Ortega was not valid.
16 21. On or about May 17, 2006, an employee acting on behalf of
17 and for the benefit of THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. executed an 1-9
18 attestation falsely certifying V. Ortega's eligibility for emploYment
19 using social security number xxx-xx-1621 ..
20 22. On or about October 1, 2005, an employee acting on behalf
21 of and for the benefit of THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. executed. an 1-9
22 attestation falsely certifying Javier Ortega's, a.k.a. Javier Ortega-
23 Corona's, eligibility for employment using social security number xxx-
24 xx-8123.
25 II
26 II
27 II
28 II
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931.6 (Posted on 04/29/10).

7. 1 23. On or about April 14, 2006 1 THE FRENCH GOURMET I INC.
2 received a ~No-Match" Letter from the Social Security Administration
3 informing THE FRENCH GOURMET I INC. that social security numbers xxx-
4 xx-8123 used on the 1-9 certified by THE FRENCH GOURMET I INC. in
5 connection with the hiring of J. Ortega was not valid.
6 24. On or about June II 2006, KAUFFMANN signed an 1-9
7 attestation falsely certifying J. Ortega s eligibility for emploYment
l
8 using a social security number xxx-xx-1801.
9 25. On or about May I, 2003 1 THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. hired
10 Faustino Ortega, a.k.a. Hugo Sanchez, a.k.a. Hugo Sanchez Lopez I
11 a.k.a. Faustino Asprilla.
12 26. On or about May 1 12003, an employee acting on behalf of and
13 for the benefit of THE FRENCH GOURMET I INC. signed an 1-9 attestation
14 falsely certifying F. Ortega/s eligibility for employment under the
15 alias Hugo Sanchez Lopez and social security number xxx-xx-4231.
16 27. On or about March 16, 2004, another employee acting on
17 behalf of and for the benefit of THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. executed
18 another 1-9 attestation falsely certifying F. Ortega s eligibility for l
19 emploYment under the alias Faustino Asprilla and social security
20 number xxx-xx-6400.
21 28. On or about September 7 I 2004, MICHEL MALECOT wrote a letter
22 on behalf of Faustino Ortega stating that F. Ortega had worked at THE
23 FRENCH GOURMET, INC. under the ·names ~Faustino Asprillo" and ~Hugo
24 Sanchez."
25 II
26 II
27 II
28 II
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. 7(Posted on 04/29/10).

8. 1 29. On or about March 31, 2005, and again on April 14, 2006, THE
2 FRENCH GOURMET, INC . received a "No-Match" Letter from the Social
3 Security Administration informing THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. that social
4 security number xxx-xx-6400 used on the I-9 certified by THE FRENCH
5 GOURMET, INC. in connection with the hiring of Ortega was not valid.
6 30. On April 16, 2006, an employee acting on behalf of and for
7 the benefit of THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. executed another I-9
8 attestation falsely certifying Ortega's eligibility for emploYment
9 using social security number xxx-xx-9685.
10 31. On or about March I, 2005, KAUFFMANN hired Graciela Grajeda
11 to work at THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.
12 32. On or about March I, 2005, an employee acting on behalf of
13 and for the benefit of THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., executed an I-9
14 attestation falsely certifying Grajeda's eligibility for emplOYment
15 using social security number xxx-xx-3928.
16 33. On or about April 14, 2006, THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.
17 received a "No-Match" Letter from the Social Security Administration
18 indicating. that social security number xxx-xx-3928 used on the I-9
19 certified by THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. in connection with the hiring
20 of Graj eda was not valid.
21 34. On or about March 8, 2008, KAUFFMANN executed an I-9
22 attestation, falsely certifying Grajeda's eligibility for emplOYment
23 under social security number xxx-xx-4571.
24 35. On or about April 14, 2003, KAUFFMANN hired Maria Del Ruiz,
25 a.k.a. Maria de la Luz Ruiz, to work at THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. and
26 executed an I-9 attestation falsely certifying that Del Ruiz was
27 eligible for emplOYment using social security number xxx-xx-5428.
28 II
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931.8 (Posted on 04/29/10).

9. 1 36. On or about March 16, 2005, an employee acting on behalf of
2 and for the benefit of THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., executed an 1-9
3 attestation, falsely certifying Ruiz's eligibility for emploYment
4 using social security number xxx-xx-2312.
5 37. On or about March 31, 2005, THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.
6 received a "No-Match" Letter from the Social Security Administration
7 indicating that social security number xxx-xx-5428 used on the 1-9
8 certified by KAUFFMANN in connection with the hiring of Ruiz was not
9 valid.
10 38. On or about April 14, 2006, THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.
11 received a "No-Match" Letter from the Social Security Administration
12 indicating that social security number xxx-xx-2312 used on the 1-9
13 certified by an employee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of
14 THE FRENCH GOURMET, NC., in connection with the hiring of Ruiz was not
15 valid.
16 39. On or about June 1, 2006, KAUFFMANN executed an 1-9
17 attestation falsely certifying Ruiz' s eligibility to work at THE
18 FRENCH GOURMET using social security number xxx-xx-2517.
19 40. On or about June 10, 2004, KAUFFMANN hired Raul Mercado,
20 a.k.a. Samuel Perez Diaz, a.k.a. Raul Beiza Mercado, to work at THE
21 FRENCH GOURMET, INC. and executed an 1-9 attestation falsely
22 certifying Mercado's eligibility for emplOYment using social security
23 number xxx-xx-5432.
24 41 . On or about March 31 , 2005 , THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.,
25 received a "No-Match" Letter from the Social Security Administration
26 indicating that social security number xxx-xx-5432 used on the 1-9
27 certified by THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. in connection with the hiring
28 of Mercado was not valid.
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. 9(Posted on 04/29/10).

10. 1 42. On or about, April 14, 2006, THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.
2 received a second "No-Match" Letter from the Social Security
3 Administration indicating that social security number xxx-xx-5432 used
4 on the 1-9 certified by THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., in connection with
5 the hiring of Mercado was not valid.
6 43. On or about May I, 2006, an employee acting on behalf of THE
7 FRENCH GOURMET, INc. executed an 1-9 attestation falsely certifying
8 that Mercado was eligible for employment under the alias "Samuel Perez
9 Dias" and social security number xxx-xx-4593.
10 44. On a date unknown, KAUFFMANN told Mercado to get a new
11 identity because the "Samuel Perez" alias was not good for employment
12 because he was not authorized to work.
13 45. On or about March 16, 2008, KAUFFMANN signed an 1-9
14 attestation falsely certifying Mercado's eligibility for employment
15 under social security number xxx-xx-8954.
16 46. In approximately 1998, KAUFFMANN hired Norbeto Gonzalez,
17 a.k.a. Nolberto Lupercio-Gonzalez, a.k.a. Norberto Gomez Lopez, to
18 work at THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.
19 47. On or about March I, 2005, an employee acting on behalf of
20 and for the benef it of THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. executed an 1-9
21 attestation falsely certifying Gonzalez's eligibility for employment
22 under the alias "Nolberto Lupercio-Gonzalez" and social security
23 number xxx-xx-5832.
24 48. On or about April 14, 2006, THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.
25 received a "No-Match" Letter from the Social Security Administration
26 indicating that social security number xxx-xx-5832 used on the 1-9
27 certified by THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. in connection with the hiring
28 of Gonzalez was not valid.
10
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. (Posted on 04/29/10).

11. 1 49. On a date unknown, KAUFFMANN showed Gonzalez a letter from
2 the Social Security Administration .indicating that Gonzalez's social
3 security number was not valid and advised Gonzalez to get a new social
4 securi ty number.
5 50. On or about June 1, 2006, an employee acting on behalf of
6 THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. executed an 1-9 attestation falsely
7 certifying Gonzalez's eJ,.igibility for employment under the alias
8 "Norberto Gomez Lopez" and social security number xxx-xx-7162.
9 51. In approximately 2007, KAUFFMANN offered to "fix up"
10 Gonzalez with a lawful immigration petition sponsored by THE FRENCH
11 GOURMET, INC., but rescinded the offer when he learned that Gonzalez
12 had a prior deportation which made him ineligible.
13 52. On or about April 24, 1997, an employee acting on behalf of
14 and for the benefit of THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. executed an 1-9
15 attestation falsely certifying Jose Gonzalez-Guzman's, a.k.a. Jose G.
16 Gonzalez's, eligibility for employment using social security number
17 xxx-xx-0600.
18 53. On May 16, 2008, THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. received by legal
19 service a letter from the Department of Homeland Security indicating
20 that Jose GonzaleZ-Guzman, who had been arrested on May 15, 2008, was
21 unlawfully present in the United States and not to hire him.
22 54. Sometime after May 28, 2008, THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.
23 rehired Gonzalez.
24 All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.
-~
,
25 II
26 II
27 II
28 II
11
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. (Posted on 04/29/10).

12. 1 Count 2
(False Attestation; 18 U.S.C. §§ 1546(b) (3) & 2)
2
55. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
3
are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
4
56. On or about February 1, 2006, in the Southern District of
5
California, defendants THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., MICHEL MALECOT, and
6
RICHARD KAUFFMANN did knowingly use a false attestation, that is, a
7
statement that xxx-xx-7867 was the social security number assigned to
8
Antonio Cruz-Cortez, a.k.a. Mariano Cruz, on an employment eligibility
9
Form 1-9, for the purpose of satisfying a requirement of
10
Section 274A(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
11
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1546(b) (3)
12
and 2.
13
Count 3
14 (False Attestation; 18 U.S.C. §§ 1546(b) (3) & 2)
15 57. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
16 are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
17 58. On or about June 1, 2006, ln the Southern District of
18 California, defendants THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., MICHEL MALECOT , and
19 RICHARD KAUFFMANN did knowingly use a false attestation, that is, a
20 statement that xxx-xx-1801 was the social security number assigned to
21 Javier Ortega on an employment eligibility Form 1-9, for the purpose
22 of satisfying a requirement of section 274A(b) of the Immigration and
23 Nationality Act.
24 All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1546(b) (3)
25 and 2.
26 II
27 II
28 II
12
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. (Posted on 04/29/10).

13. 1 Count 4
(False Attestation; 18 U.S.C. §§ 1546(b) (3) & 2)
2
59. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
3
are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
4
60. On or about May 17, 2006, in the Southern District of
5
California, defendants THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., MICHEL MALECOT, and
6
RICHARD KAUFFMANN did knowingly use a false attestation, that is, a
7
statement that xxx-xx-1621 was the social security number assigned to
8
Vicente Ortega on an emploYment eligibility Form 1-9, for the purpose
9
of satisfying a requirement of section 274A(b) of the Immigration and
10
Nationality Act, in violation of Title 18, United States Code,
11
Sections 1546(b) (3) and 2.
12
Count 5
13 (False Attestation; 18 U.S.C. §§ 1546(b) (3) & 2)
14 61. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
15 are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
16 62. On or about April 16, 2006, in the Southern District of
17 California, defendants THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., MICHEL MALECOT, and
18 RICHARD KAUFFMANN did knowingly use a false attestation, that is, a
19 statement that xxx-xx-9685 was the social security number assigned to
20 Faustino Ortega, a.k.a. Hugo Sanchez, a.k.a. Faustino Asprilla, on an
21 emploYment eligibility Form 1-9, for the purpose of satisfying a
22 requirement of section 274A (b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
23 All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1546(b) (3)
24 and 2.
25 II
26 II
27 II
28 II
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. (Posted on 04/29/10).
13

14. 1 Count 6
(False Attestationj 18 U.S.C. §§ 1546(b) (3) & 2)
2
63. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
3
are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
4
64. On or about March 8, 2008, in the Southern District of
5
California, defendants THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., MICHEL MALECOT, and
6
RICHARD KAUFFMANN did knowingly use a false attestation, that is, a
7
statement that xxx-xx-4571 was the social security number assigned to
8
Graciela Grajeda, on an emplOYment eligibility Form 1-9, for the
9
purpose of satisfying a requirement of section 274A(b) of the
10
Immigration and Nationality Act.
11
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1546(b) (3)
12
and 2.
13
Count 7
14 (False Attestationj 18 U.S.C. §§ 1546(b) (3) & 2)
15 65. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
16 are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
17 66. On or about June I, 2006, in the Southern District of
18 California, defendants THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., MICHEL MALECOT, and
19 RICHARD KAUFFMANN did knowingly use a false attestation, that is, a
20 statement that xxx-xx-2517 was the social security number assigned to
21 Maria Del Ruiz, a.k.a. Maria de la Luz Ruiz, on an emplOYment
22 eligibility Form 1-9, for the purpose of satisfying a requirement of
23 section 274A(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
24 All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1546(b) (3)
25 and 2.
26 II
27 II
28 II
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. (Posted on 04/29/10).
14

15. 1 Count 8
(False Attestation; 18 U.S.C. §§ 1546(b) (3) & 2)
2
67. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
3
are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
4
68. On or about March 16, 2008, in the Southern District of
5
California, defendants THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., MICHEL MALECOT, and
6
RICHARD KAUFFMANN did knowingly use a false attestation, that is, a
7
statement that xxx-xx-8954 was the social security number assigned to
8
Raul Mercado-Beiza, a.k.a. Raul- Beiza Mercado, a.k.a. Raul Mercado,
9
a.k.a. Samuel Perez Dias, on an employment eligibility Form 1-9, for
10
the purpose of satisfying a requirement of section 274A(b) of the
11
Immigration and Nationality Act.
12
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1546(b) (3)
13
and 2.
14
Count 9
15 (False Attestation; 18 U.S.C. §§ 1546(b) (3) & 2)
16 69. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
17 are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
18 70. On or about June 1, 2006, in the Southern District of
19 California, defendants THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., MICHEL MALECOT and
20 RICHARD KAUFFMANN did knowingly use a false attestation, that is, a
21 statement that xxx-xx-7162 was the social security number assigned to
22 Norberto Gonzalez, a.k.a. Nolberto Lupercio-Gonzalez, a.k.a. Norberto
23 Gomez Lopez, on an employment eligibility Form 1-9, for the purpose
24 of satisfying a requirement of section 274A(b) of the Immigration and
25 Nationality Act.
26 All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1546(b) (3)
27 and 2.
28 //
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. (Posted on 04/29/10).
15

16. 1 Count 10
(Harboring Illegal Aliens; 18 U.S.C. §§ 1324(a) (1) (A) (iii))
2
71. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
3
are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
4
72. On or about September 7, 2004, within the Southern District
5
of California, defendants THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. and MICHEL MALECOT,
6
with the intent to violate the immigration laws of the United States,
7
knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien, namely,
8
Faustino Ortega, a.k.a. Hugo Sanchez, a.k.a. Faustino Asprilla, had
9
come to, entered and remained in the United States in violation of
10
law, did conceal, harbor and shield from detection and attempt to
11
conceal, harbor and shield from detection such alien in a building
12
located at 960 Turquoise St., San Diego, California.
13.
All in violation of Title 8, United States Code,
14
Section 1324 (a) (1) (A) (iii) .
15
Count 11
16 (Harboring Illegal Aliens; 18 U,S.C. §§ 1324(a) (1) (A) (iii))
17 73. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
18 are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
19 74. On or about January 12, 2007, within the Southern District
20 of California, defendants THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. and RICHARD
21 KAUFFMANN, with the intent to violate the immigration laws of the
22 United States, knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that an
23 alien, namely, Patricia Olvera-Perez, a.k.a. Patricia Olvera-Perez,
24 a . k . a. Carina Lagunas, had corne to, entered and remained in the United
·25 States in violation of law, did conceal, harbor and shield from
26 detection and attempt to conceal, harbor and shield from detection
27 such alien in a building located at 960 Turquoise St., San Diego,
28 California.
16
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. (Posted on 04/29/10).

17. 1 All in violation of Title 8, United States Code,
2 Section 1324 (a) (1) (A) (iii) .
3 Count 12
(Harboring Illegal Aliens; 18 U.S.C. §§ 1324(a) (1) (A) (iii))
4
7
California, defendants MICHEL MALECOT and THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC.,
8
with the intent to violate the immigration laws of the United States,
9
knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien, namely,
10
Moham~d Miloudi, a.k.a. Emilio Sanchez-Rivera, a.k.a. Enrique Lopez,
11
a.k.a. Fabio Galvez-Zepeda, had come to, entered and remained in the
12
United States in violation of law, did conceal, harbor and shield from
13
detection and attempt to conceal, harbor and shield from detection
14
such alien in a building located at 960 Turquoise St., San Diego,
15
California.
16
All in violation of Title 8, United States Code,
17
Section 1324 (a) (1) (A) (iii) .
18
Count 13
19 (Harboring Illegal Aliens; 18 U.S.C. §§ 1324 (a) (1) (A) (iii))
20 77. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
21 are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
22 78. On or about June 16, 2007, within the Southern District of
23 California, defendants THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., MICHEL MALECOT, and
24 RICHARD KAUFFMANN, with the intent to violate the immigration laws of
25 the United States, knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that
26 an alien, namely, Antonio Diaz, had come to, entered and remained in
27 the United States in violation of law, did conceal, harbor and shield
28 from detection and attempt to conceal, harbor and shield from
17
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. (Posted on 04/29/10).

18. 1 ·detection such alien in a building located at 960 Turquoise St., San
2 Diego, California; in violation of Title 8, United States Code,
3 Section 1324 (a) (I) (A) (iii) .
4 Count 14
(Harboring Illegal Aliens; 18 U.S.C. §§ 1324(a) (I) (A) (iii})
5
79. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
6
are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
7
80. On or about June 1, 2006, within the Southern District of
8
California, defendants THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC. and RICHARD KAUFFMANN,
9
with the intent to violate the immigration laws of the United States,
10
knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien, namely,
11
Norberto Gonzalez, a .k .a . Norberto Gomez Lopez, a .k .a . Nolberto
12
Lupercio-Gonzalez, had come to, entered and remained in the United
13
States in violation of law, did conceal, harbor and shield from
14
detection and attempt to conceal, harbor and shield from detection
15
such alien in a building located at 960 Turquoise St., San Diego,
16
California.
17
All in violation of Title 8, United States Code,
18
Section 1324 (a) (I) (A) (iii) .
19
Count 15
20 (Hiring Illegal Aliens; 18 U.S.C. §§ 1324a(a) (I) (A) & 1324a(f) (I})
21 81. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
22 are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
23 82. Between 2002 and December 31, 2008, within the Southern
24 District of California, defendant THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., did
25 knowingly and intentionally engage in a pattern and practice of hiring
26 for employment in the United States aliens, knowing the aliens to be
27 unauthorized with respect to such employment.
28 //
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. (Posted on 04/29/10).
18

19. 1 All in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Sections
2 1324a(a) (1) (A) & 1324a(f) (1) .
3 Count 16
(Continuing to Employ illegal Aliens;
4 18 U.S.C. §§ 1324a(a) (2) & 1324a(f) (1))
5 81. The allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 54 above
6 are realleged as if fully set forth herein.
7 82. Between 2002 and December 31, 2008, within the Southern
·8 District of California, defendant THE FRENCH GOURMET, INC., did
9 knowingly and intentionally engage in a pattern and practice of
10 continuing to employ aliens in the United States, knowing the aliens
11 to be unauthorized with respect to such employment.
12 All in violation of Title 8, united States Code, Sections 1324a (a) (2)
13 and 1324a(f) (1) .
14 Criminal Forfeiture
15 83. The allegations contained in Counts 1 through 16 are re-
16 alleged and by their reference fully incorporated herein for the
17 purpose of alleging forfeiture to the United States of America
18 pursuant to the provisions of Title 8, United States Code,
19 Section 1324(b) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(a) (6).
20 84. As a result of the commission of the felony offenses alleged
21 in this indictment, said violations being punishable by imprisonment
22 for more than one year and pursuant to Title 8, United States Code,
23 Section 1324(b) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(a) (6) ,
24 defendants MICHEL MALECOT, RICHARD KAUFFMANN, and THE FRENCH GOURMET,
25 INC. shall, upon conviction, forfeit to the United States all his
26 rights, title and interest in the following: a) any conveyance,
27 including any vessel, vehicle, or aircraft used in the commission of
28 the offense of which the Defendant is charged; b) any property real
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. (Posted on 04/29/10).
19

20. 1 or personal, that constitutes, or is derived from or is traceable to
2 the proceeds obtained directly or indirectly from the commission of
3 the offense of which the Defendant is charged; c) any property real
4 or person~l, that is used to facilitate, and is intended to be used
5 to facilitate, the commission of the offenses of which the Defendants
6 are charged, including but not limited to:
7 (a) A sum of money equal to proceeds obtained directly or
8 indirectly from the commission of the offense(s) ;
9 (b) All that certain real property situated in the County
10 of San Diego, State of California, described as
11 follows: 954-958 Turquoise St, San Diego, CA 92122
12 APN 415-172-17-00, Lots 87 and 88 in Block 6 of First
13 Addition of Pacific Beach Vista Tract, in the City of
14 San Diego, County of San Diego, State of California,
15 according to Map thereof No. 930, filed in the Office
16 of the County Recorder of San Diego County,
17 November 7, 1904;
18 (c) All that certain real property situated in the County
19 of San Diego, State of California, described as
20 follows: 960 Turquoise St., San Diego, CA 92122,
21 APN 415-172-16-00, Lots 85 and 86 in Block 6 of First
22 Addition of Pacific Beach Vista Tract, in the City of
23 San Diego, County of San Diego, State of California,
24 according to Map thereof No. 930, filed in the Office
25 of the County Recorder of San Diego County,
26 November 7, 1904.
27 II
28 II
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. (Posted on 04/29/10).
20

21. 1 85. If any of the above-described forfeitable property, as a
2 result of any act or omission of the defendants -
3 (a) cannot be located upon the exercise of due diligence;
4 (b) has been transferred or sold to, or deposited with, a
5 third party;
6 (c) has been placed beyond the jurisdiction of the Court;
7 (d) has been substantially diminished in value; or
8 (e) has been commingled with other property which cannot
9 be subdivided without difficulty;
10 it is the intent of the United States, pursuant to Title 18, United
11 States Code, Section 982(b), to seek forfeiture of any other property
12 of the defendants up to the value of the said property listed above
13 as being subject to forfeiture.
14 All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(a) (6)
15 and Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324.
16 DATED: April 15, 2010.
17 A TRUE BILL:
18
19
Foreperson
20
KAREN P. HEWITT
21 United States Attorney
22
23 By:
REBECCA S. KANTER
24 Assistant U.S. Attorney
25
26
27
28
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10042931. (Posted on 04/29/10).
21