Posted on 07/23/2005 12:47:36 PM PDT by csvset
Jordanian pleads guilty to money laundering
By TIM MCGLONE, The Virginian-Pilot
© July 23, 2005
Last updated: 12:35 AM
NORFOLK — Eddie Akkawi came here from Jordan at 19 with little cash, speaking little English and with an eighth -grade education.
He entered the fast-food world and quickly established himself as a suave businessman, opening several restaurants with friends who, like him, came here from Jordan in pursuit of the American dream.
Thirteen years later, having learned English and amassed wealth, Akkaw i stood before a federal judge and listened as that dream shattered.
Eyad “Eddie” Akkawi, 33, pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy and money laundering charges. He admitted transporting and harboring illegal immigrants and laundering money through the salaries he paid the workers. Two friends and business associates pleaded guilty to the same charges on Wednesday.
“It’s an American dream gone sour,” said Akkawi’s attorney, Andrew A. Protogyrou. “The reason it went sour is they decided not to follow the laws of the United States” for the marginal profits they realized.
The three men operated fast-food restaurants in this area and Richmond. Akkawi operated the Great Steak & Potato Co. at Lynnhaven Mall and had an interest in the same restaurant at The Gallery at Military Circle. He had previously operated Blimpie and TCBY restaurants but sold his interest in those.
Federal prosecutors said the men obtained illegal workers, largely Middle Eastern or North African men, through an unidentified employment agency in New York.
The workers were brought here to work in the restaurants, some earning less than minimum wage, prosecutors said.
Some also paid Akkawi rent to live in a house he owns, according to court records. The records also say the three men failed to pay employment taxes for the workers.
Federal agents began investigating the trio’s business practices in 2003 when one of the workers was found to be in the country illegally.
That led to undercover surveillance and wiretaps of the men’s homes and businesses.
The three Jordanians were arrested last month by local terrorism task force agents, but no links to terrorism have been established.
The agents also took into custody at least three employees accused of being in the country illegally. The exact number of employees detained was not released. They are being processed for deportation.
Ihab Fuad “Steve” Ghattas, 39, and Mwafaq “Fred” Ghattas, age unavailable, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and money laundering charges on Wednesday.
The three men remain free pending sentencing on Nov. 16. They face as much as 30 years in prison.
Federal authorities also seized property belonging to the defendants, including a home on Marlene Street in Virginia Beach and $69,000 in cash.
Reach Tim McGlone at (757) 446-2343 or tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com.
"He admitted transporting and harboring illegal immigrants and laundering money through the salaries he paid the workers."
I wonder where the illegal immigrants originated.
Federal prosecutors said the men obtained illegal workers, largely Middle Eastern or North African men, through an unidentified employment agency in New York.
At first I was wondering why Michael Jordan would launder money.
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