Job offers at Duluth ‘club’ were bogus, cops say

Many people are desperate for work in this tough economy — some so desperate they’re willing to pay for it.

Gwinnett police announced Monday the arrests of three people in connection with a business scam to charge illegal immigrants $260 for a job at a fictitious nightclub they claimed to be promoting.

The nightclub was called “Escapade 2010” and the suspects identified themselves as representatives of a company called Hernandez Productions, said Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl. David Schiralli. The suspects advertised job openings at the nightclub on Latino radio stations and the Internet, police said.

Job seekers were directed to go to the food court at Gwinnett Place mall in Duluth to fill out an employment application. After they finished the application, the victims were immediately “hired.” The catch? They needed to pay a $260 fee to cover the cost of bartending school, uniforms and a special liquor license for illegal immigrants to serve or sell alcohol, Schiralli said.

The promoters of the phony club reportedly told victims it was going to be located in a shopping center on Satellite Boulevard in Duluth. However, the owners of that shopping center told investigators that there are no plans for a club at that location.

Arrested on April 2 on two misdemeanor counts of theft by deception were: Francisco Vaquera, 20, of Snellville, Jesus Lizaggara, 24, of Snellville and Doris Olvera, 35, of Snellville. Olvera is also charged with one felony count of theft by conversion.