A Taiwanese trade representative has been sentenced to pay a fine and be deported on her Kansas City federal conviction for defrauding two servants. By sentencing terms of U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, the victims will be paid a total of $80 thousand restitution.
Hsien-Hsien Liu was Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Kansas City when arrested November 10,2011, accused of fraud in foreign labor contracting.
Investigators said Liu had hired two Filipino housekeepers for her home and paid them much less than agreed upon.
In her guilty plea, Liu admitted she forced the pair to work up to 18 hours a day, six-and-a-half days a week. They have been certified as victims of a severe form of human trafficking.
The 64 year old Liu will be fined to cover costs of her jailing since November and cost of deportation.
The office Liu directed was responsible for keeping close unofficial relations between people of the U.S. and Taiwan.
U.S. Attorney Beth Phillips said Liu admitted agreeing to pay one victim $1,240 a month for a 40 hour work week, then paid her $450 a month, had surveillance cameras installed to monitor the victim and refused to allow her to leave the house without permission.
Under a plea agreement, Liu waived her right to a hearing before an immigration judge.