Audio By Carbonatix
A wealthy New York woman is facing criminal charges after being accused of keeping an illegal immigrant as an indentured servant and forcing her to live in a closet for nearly six years.
Documents posted on the Smoking Gun allege that Annie George, 39, and her now-deceased husband, Mathai Kolath George, hired an illegal immigrant from the Indian state of Kerala. The immigrant, identified only as "V.M.," was promised about $1,000 a month in wages to live in the family's 34-room, 30,000-square-foot home, known as Llenroc mansion, which houses a helicopter pad, 15 fireplaces, marble flooring, 24-karat gold gilded ceilings and a glass elevator. V.M. was tasked with taking care of the Georges' four young children, along with performing household duties in the mansion located about 20 miles north of Albany.
New York's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Even if V.M. had been allowed to leave the residence at the end of a regular 40-hour workweek, she would have been entitled to a minimum, pretax income of $290 per week, or $1,160 per month.
Instead, the "forced labor situation" (as described in the court papers) was even worse than the already-below minimum wage offer of $1,000 month. V.M. received 85 cents an hour, working 17-hour days, seven days a week, over the 67 months she was kept inside the George residence.
All told, V.M. received only about $29,000 over the five and a half years she was forced to work for the George family.
The Smoking Gun reports that immigration agents received a tip from the National Human Trafficking Resource Center last year and removed V.M. from the George's property. The U.S. Department of Labor conducted its own investigation and says V.M. is entitled to $206,000 in back wages. She was also allegedly denied health benefits, sick days or any personal time off from her labors.
Annie George, whose husband died in a plane crash in 2009, reportedly called V.M.'s son three times, suggesting he "tell his mother to tell authorities that she was a relative of George's family and was only staying at George's house as a guest." However, V.M.'s son recorded the calls, which included a plea from Annie George, "If she says anything about working, it would become a big crime. They'll start adding up all the taxes and everything, for all the time."
According to the Smoking Gun documents, the George estate had been put up for sale for a reported $30 million. However, an astute Sideshow reader points out that Llenroc sold for a "meager" $1.9 million in 2009.
Annie George appeared in court on Wednesday before a federal magistrate, facing charges of encouraging and inducing an illegal alien to reside in the U.S.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
13 arrested as Central East Police crack down on crime in Senya Beraku enclave
4 minutes -
Kumasi residents raise alarm over poor street lighting ahead of Christmas
33 minutes -
Police swoop in Kintampo nabs 13 in drug bust, seizes cannabis and tramadol
44 minutes -
Activist urges stronger border security, environmental protection, and accountability
53 minutes -
Let’s be more intentional about our unity than they were about our division – Mahama to diaspora
59 minutes -
Former Jasikan MCE quits as Bryan Acheampong’s coordinator; declares support for Bawumia
1 hour -
2025 Diaspora Summit: Ablakwa calls for concrete action on reparations
1 hour -
Police crack down on drug trafficking in Tamale, arrest 4 and seize illicit substances
1 hour -
Egg-citing deals as The Multimedia Group’s X’mas Egg Market sells out on Day 1, returns tomorrow
2 hours -
NPP Primaries: Electoral Area Coordinators in Yunyoo, Chereponi and Saboba declare support for Bawumia
2 hours -
Revocation of L.I. 2462 step in the right direction – Lands Ministry Spokesperson
3 hours -
Afeku urges creation of world-class hospitality training school in Volta Region
4 hours -
Ghana’s unemployment rate eases slightly to 13.0% in 2025 third quarter
4 hours -
Climate change forcing migration as Farm Radio engages stakeholders on solutions
4 hours -
Financial knowledge secures the future – NIB to Police Ladies
4 hours
