Ex-LI Catering Hall Manager Gets Prison For Forced Labor On Immigrants

CENTERPORT, NY — A former Centerport catering hall manager was sentenced to six years in prison after he forced immigrants from the Philippines into labor at the Thatched Cottage, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Roberto Villanueva, 65, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to forced labor and forced labor conspiracy Feb. 5, 2020. He has been incarcerated since his arrest Dec. 10, 2017.

Villanueva worked as a recruiter and manager for the Thatched Cottage. He admitted in court that workers were brought from the Philippines to the United States on H-2B visas that expired shortly after their arrival, officials said. Once the visas expired, Villanueva coached workers on how to apply for student visas by having them say they planned to attend school full-time, and had sufficient resources to support themselves during school, authorities said.

Villanueva said he deposited money into the workers’ bank accounts to make it seem like they had enough money for school, then withdrew the money once the visas were approved, prosecutors said.

When workers objected to performing certain jobs, working consecutive shifts or not being paid promptly, Villanueva threatened to report them to the police or immigration authorities, officials said.

Villanueva said Ralph Colamussi, the former owner of Thatched Cottage, backed his actions.

“Villanueva exploited his victims’ immigration status, promising them the American dream, but instead threatening arrest or deportation if they didn’t work 16 hours a day, often unpaid, sleeping on bug-infested mattresses covered in garbage bags, without heat or hot water,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement. “This sentence highlights our Office’s commitment to bringing abusers to justice.”

Villanueva knowingly manipulated the workers using bait-and-switch tactics to coerce and control them, said Michael Alfonso, acting special agent-in-charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New York. Villanueva forced the workers to live in poor conditions under constant threat of physical harm if they didn't comply with his demands, Alfonso added.

"[This] sentencing sends a strong message that human lives are not commodities and these workers deserved dignity and respect," Alfonso said. "HSI is committed to working together with our partners to fight human trafficking in all its forms, including labor trafficking and exploitation to prevent abuses like this."