A couple who owned and ran a sushi bar in Denver have been arrested for allegedly threatening immigrant employees with deportation and forcing them to work without pay, federal authorities said.
Young Jo Kwon, 43, and his wife, Jessie Kwon, 41, who owned Osaka Sushi, have been charged with five counts of theft and forgery, the office of Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said in a press release.
The Kwons are accused of forcing two South Korean immigrant employees — Jaihee Jo Hong and Jong Chul Choi — to work without pay, Suthers office said, by threatening them with revocation of their “sponsorship,” which would result in their families being deported.
One alleged victim told FBI investigators that Young Jo Kwon claimed ties to the Korean Mafia and that he threatened her with physical harm, the press release said.
The Kwons are accused of:
The Kwons have sold their interests in Osaka Sushi and now own Sushi Moon, 6585 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., in Greenwood Village, the AG’s office said.
The couple is free on $10,000 bond.
Their next court appearance is set for May 30.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
