JeffCo Landscaper Used Visa Scam to Lease Foreign Workers to Other Companies

The owner of a Jefferson County landscaping business acted like a broker for foreign labor, illegally leasing 74 workers to other companies.

William "Bill" Richardet, 64, of High Ridge pleaded guilty on Thursday to conspiracy to commit visa fraud. His company, Cardinal Lawn & Landscape, also pleaded to the same charge.

As part of the scheme, Richardet secured H2-B visas for seasonal laborers by making it look like they would all be working for his company, according to prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Instead, he subcontracted them out to other businesses for a fee.

Cardinal Lawn and Landscape has been in business more than fifteen years, an offshoot of Richardet's family business Bi-State Landscape Supply.

Read more: https://www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblog/2019/08/16/jeffco-landscaper-used-visa-scam-to-lease-foreign-workers-to-other-companies