KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A massive federal human trafficking case in Kansas City is the first time the government has pursued such charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
A 45-count indictment filed in May says Kansas City-based Giant Labor Solutions and two other companies recruited foreign workers with the promise of good jobs and a better life. But prosecutors say the workers instead were turned into human slaves, fanned out to housekeeping jobs in upscale hotels and other businesses in 14 states while being made to live huddled together in small apartments.
Experts say that pursuing charges under RICO is costly and time-consuming, but it gives the government a chance to bring entire criminal organizations down.
