HAIR SALON INDICTED ON VISA FRAUD CHARGES

Jacque Dressange, Inc., a chain of hair salons and a subsidiary of a French company, is facing 30 counts of immigration fraud based on allegations that it improperly obtained visas for as many as 50 French hairstylists to work in the US.  Along with the salon, the attorneys who did the paperwork are also facing charges.  According to federal officials, the plan was part of an effort to rapidly expand the salon’s business in America.

The hairdressers entered the US on L-1 visas, which are restricted to intra-company transfers of high-level managers and executives.  On the forms the attorneys filed with the INS, the workers were assigned to management positions that did not exist.  The forms also stated that they would be paid $1000 a week, when the contracts between the stylists and the company actually guaranteed a much lower salary. 

If convicted, Jacque Dressange faces up to a $500,000 fine for each count, and the attorneys face $250,000 fines for each count, as well as five years in prison for conspiracy.  The attorneys have declined to publicly comment on the matter.  The salon maintains it did no more than rely on bad legal advice, and has brought a malpractice suit against the attorneys.

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