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04/08/2006Man denies role in illegal immigraton schemeTRAVERSE CITY — A man named in a federal probe of undocumented immigrants who worked at a local resort denied he helped provide fake work documents. Santiago Echaniz, 41, formerly of Traverse City, was named in a federal affidavit filed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent John Algers in U.S. District Court. Authorities are investigating illegal contract workers at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa who were provided by Rosenbaum-Cunningham International Inc., of Florida. Echaniz allegedly was implicated by Juanita "Janie" Schlagel, of Williamsburg, a former state migrant-services worker who allegedly sold Social Security numbers and other documents in a scheme uncovered in spring 2005. Echaniz, reached by phone in Florida, denied he provided illegal workers to the resort for RCI. "That is not true," he said. "I required that they had all the identification documents before the resort would put them to work. I gave those documents to the resort and they verified the workers." Federal authorities have not charged Echaniz, but he faces a local misdemeanor charge of a weapons safety inspection violation. Police said he failed to register two handguns police found in a March 3 search of his Traverse City residence. "I am not contesting the handguns, it was an oversight," he said. "But as far as me being involved in getting fake documents, that is completely wrong." Schlagel, who resigned May 20, allegedly told investigators Echaniz and RCI provided the resort with "numerous undocumented illegal aliens," which led to a February raid that netted over 20 employees at the Acme resort. Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Alan Schneider said he charged Echaniz without realizing he'd been named in the federal probe. The resort raid led to federal charges against Miguel Martinez-Garcia and Ofmara Maltos-Trevino, both of Traverse City, for allegedly employing illegal aliens and using fraudulent immigration documents. Echaniz called Schlagel's allegations "crazy." She has not been charged with any crimes. "They seized my bank account, raided my house, and completely turned my life inside out," he said. "Literally, my life is a shambles right now, but I haven't been charged or indicted for anything." See related stories:
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