Two Chesco businessmen charged with hiring undocumented workers

By Mari A. Schaefer, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: September 01, 2012

Two Chester County businessmen have been charged with hiring undocumented workers for their local diners, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Thursday.

A federal grand jury handed up an indictment for Ahmed F. Ahmed, 48, president of the Exton Diner in Exton, and Mohamed A. Mattay, 48, president of the Happy Days Family Bistro in Thorndale. Both men reside in Downingtown.

The two men allegedly hired undocumented workers, paid them in cash, and failed to obtain and keep on record the proper identification and proof that the employees were eligible to work in the United States, according to court documents.

Ahmed and Mattay each received wages from the other's company. The two men housed the employees at a home in the 800 block of North Whitford Road in Exton. They maintained the home, paid all the bills, and collected the mail. The undocumented workers were not required to sign any leases, and their costs for housing were deducted from their bi-weekly pay.

One of the workers, a Haitian native, was hired through a New York employment agency and came to Exton for the job as a dishwasher.

Between February 2008 and January 2009, Ahmed and Mattay hired approximately 18 undocumented workers, according to court documents.

The men may have to forfeit any property that was involved in the alleged crime, including the home on Whitford Road, according to court documents.

If convicted, they face a sentence of up to six months in prison.

Contact Mari A. Schaefer at 610-892-9149, mschaefer@phillynews.com or @MariSchaefer on Twitter.

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