Two Ukrainian nationals, Oleg Oliynyk and Oleksandr Yurchyk, were sentenced today to 15 years in prison each for their involvement in a large labor staffing scheme that defrauded the U.S. government.
The men were extradited from Thailand to the U.S. in September 2024 and now face penalties related to conspiracy charges involving money laundering and tax fraud.
Details of the Scheme and Charges
Oliynyk and Yurchyk, along with co-defendants, operated several labor staffing companies in South Florida, including Paradise Choice LLC and Tropical City Services LLC, from as early as 2008.
These companies were used to employ unauthorized foreign workers in the hospitality industry, helping them evade more than $25 million in federal income and employment taxes.
The sentencing followed an extensive investigation known as Operation RoomKey, which involved the U.S. Tax Division, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and IRS Criminal Investigation.
In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Jose E. Martinez ordered Oliynyk and Yurchyk to pay over $10 million in restitution and forfeit $11 million in assets.
Other Sentences in Connection to the Operation
The operation has led to the sentencing of several other individuals involved in similar schemes.
Notably, in August 2022, co-defendant Mykhaylo Chugay was sentenced to over 24 years in prison after his conviction.
Others, including Oleksandr Morgunov and Volodymyr Ogorodnychuk, pleaded guilty and received prison sentences of 96 and 48 months, respectively.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of U.S. authorities to combat illegal labor staffing operations, tax fraud, and immigration violations, with several defendants already having been sentenced for their roles in facilitating unauthorized employment in the U.S.
Further Investigations and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Additional investigations have led to further convictions.
In March 2022, individuals like former police officer Igor Kasyanenko and others connected to Phoenix ADB Services were sentenced for their involvement in similar schemes, which facilitated the employment of unauthorized aliens in the U.S.
Authorities are continuing to track and prosecute individuals involved in such operations, and further legal proceedings are expected in the coming months as more individuals are held accountable for their roles in the conspiracy.
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