LANDLORD FACES IMMIGRATION, SEX CHARGES

One of the largest owners of rental properties in Berkeley, California has been charged with importing illegal immigrants from India for purposes of prostitution. Likireddy Bali Reddy, who owns more than 1000 apartment units, also faces charges of encouraging immigrants to illegally reside in the US. Officials began investigating Reddy after the Berkeley police received a call about the death of a girl, from carbon monoxide poisoning in one of Reddy’s apartments. The INS became involved after receiving a letter claiming Reddy was fraudulently obtaining visas.

If officials are correct, Reddy was involved in a very disturbing scheme. They claim he had a brother and sister (not his) pose as husband and wife and parents to two young girls, who, it seems, had been sold to him in India for sexual purposes. After the girls immigrated, the sexual relationship continued. It was not uncovered until the death of one of the girls, which prompted an investigation by the Berkeley police, who in turn notified the INS.

Reddy was first investigated by immigration officials in 1997, but they discovered no evidence of wrongdoing. With these new allegations, of course, that has changed. Not only is he being prosecuted in Berkeley, he is under investigation in another state, and officials suspect he may be part of a larger smuggling operation.