SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – On Friday, a Niskayuna business owner pleaded guilty to labor trafficking before a judge in Schenectady County Court. Piyamas Demasi, 45, owner of Thai Thai Bistro and Karma Bistro pled guilty to a top count of a thirteen-count alleged indictment.
According to the indictment, Demasi hired an immigrant woman from Thailand to work in her restaurant Thai Thai Bistro. Demasi duped the woman into believing she would sponsor her visa as an expert Thai chef so that she could receive a permanent U.S. resident status.
Demasi was aware these conditions were illegal, but told the woman she would only sponsor her if she agree to pay all associated costs Demasi claimed with the visa process. Additionally, the woman would have to agree to work for…
