Pair Extradited to US in Exploitation of Deaf

Los Angeles Times
June 1, 2005

From Times Wire Reports

Two men accused of luring deaf Mexican immigrants to New York and then forcing them to sell trinkets on subways have been extradited to the United States, Mexico's attorney general's office said.

Suspects Jose Paoletti Moreda and his son, Renato Paoletti Lemus, are deaf themselves.

Authorities said threats of violence kept dozens of deaf immigrants trapped in servitude, often working long hours seven days a week, while the Paolettis and others pocketed the profits. The two were arrested more than seven years ago.

Copyright 2005 Los Angeles Times