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Federal indictment brought against Alindog owner
A federal indictment was handed down late Wednesday afternoon against the owner of Alindog Karaoke Lounge. The charges come at the same time a Hawaii immigration judge granted voluntary departure to eight women found to be working at the club back to the Philippines.
A federal grand jury handed down charges of racketeering, bribery, and visa fraud against Zenaida Reyes (aka, "Heidi Reyes"), the owner of the Harmon club. According to the indictment, Reyes is accused of going to the Philippines back in June with the intent to secure visas for nine female Philippine nationals to enter Guam unlawfully under false pretenses. Court documents state the defendant knew the women would work as bar girls at the Alindog Karaoke Lounge for commissions based upon drinks sold and other services offered to customers.
It's also alleged Reyes bribed a U.S. Embassy foreign service national officer by paying US$200 to ensure the visa applications would be approved for nine women. The U.S. Government argues the visa applications made in the Philippines contained false statements about the women's work histories. For example, the applications stated the women had worked at various entertainment establishments that authorities later determined had closed, burnt down or never existed.
The nine women listed in the indictment are different than those women who were taken into federal custody earlier this month. While one woman was released just days after they were detained, the other eight (including the entertainment troupe Baywalk Bodies) appeared before a Hawaii immigration judge during a videoconference this morning. The eight women were dressed in blue Department of Corrections shirts, jeans and some wore sweaters to cover up the detainee shirts.
Four of the women - Melissa Pontejos, Maria Castillo, Maria Templado, and Joanne Molo - admitted to arriving to Guam on tourist visas and working at Alindog, against the conditions of the visas. The Baywalk Bodies - Jenny Maliwanag, Maria Medalla, Maria Generoso, and Amor Pagbilao - all admitted to coming to Guam under P-1 visas for entertainment purposes. They were not allowed to receive commissions for selling drinks or providing any other service under the conditions of the visas.
The women's attorney, Daniel Berman, told the immigration judge that his clients did work as entertainers, but during breaks "sat at tables and accepted drinks and tips". Berman added that the ladies were not aware they were violating the conditions of their visas. Each of the girls requested voluntary departure from Guam back to the Philippines, meaning they will return home at their own expense but remain in detention until a flight is available. "They are free by the judge to go as soon as the next available flight can be arranged and the administrative logistics of arranging their flight is complete," said Attorney Berman.
The defense attorney would not comment on the background of the womens' case providing no information on the circumstances surrounding their employment with Alindog. Additionally Berman would not comment on federal charges handed down against Reyes, only replying when asked if he thought his clients would be called in as possible witnesses to testify, "No comment...I have no idea."
Reyes will appear in the District Court on Friday morning. Meanwhile the eight women, including the Baywalk Bodies, will have to leave Guam by September 7 as ordered by the immigration judge today. Also in court this morning, it was revealed that one of the Baywalk Bodies is pregnant - the immigration judge wished her good luck on her pregnancy.
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