Feds took too much of dishwasher's cash, judge says

Source: CNN

From Patrick Oppmann
CNN

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- An illegal immigrant dishwasher who lost $49,000 to the U.S. government as he tried to take it home to Guatemala will get some of the money back, his attorney said Wednesday.

Pedro Zapeta was "very, very happy" when he learned about a federal appeals court ruling that says he is entitled to recover some of the money, said attorney Robert Gershman, who handled the financial end of Zapeta's case.

Zapeta was carrying $59,000 in cash when he was stopped at a security checkpoint at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in 2005. He told authorities he was returning home to Guatemala with the money he had saved working illegally as a dishwasher over 11 years.

But federal law requires that anyone leaving or entering the country with $10,000 or more must declare it. Because Zapeta had not done so, he was detained, and his money was seized.




Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/25/dishwasher.fine/index.html

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Great news! :party:

That must have been the worst day of his life when that happened. All those years of slaving away and saving every nickel he could only to have the cash seized... I'm glad he gets some it back. Take out the taxes he owes and give him his money!

Problem is that having been paid under the table I'm sure he was paid a less than sub-standard wage. I wonder if they'll go after SS money etc as well?

Why don't they make the employer pay the taxes instead?

According to the appeals court, the maximim fine for his unknowing transgression would have been $5,000.

That means he was over fined by $44,000.

immigration status.

While youre at it, send him to jail for being an illegal!

(SARCASM)

Many illegal immigrants pay taxes under a 'borrowed' SSN, but never receive refunds or other things to which they are entitled as a result. By no means ALL, but many.

...he's received donations from Americans totaling around $15k. I'm glad Americans do things like that. I hope Pedro finds a safe, happy life for himself and his family in Guatemala.

PB