Enron Secrets Part 1
Enron Secrets Part 1
Date: Thursday, May 11, 2006 2:57 PM
<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 1475 >>>>>
Have you ever speculated about what goes on inside the HR departments of
major corporations when they are processing visas for foreign workers? Now,
thanks to online databases of Enron's internal emails we can actually see
what goes on - AND IT AIN'T PRETTY!
Dr. Gene Nelson (www.anamericanscam.com) brought this online resource to my
attention while he was researching the links between Jack Abramoff, Enron,
and H-1B (more to follow on that subject in subsequent newsletters). As I
searched the database I realized that a window had been opened to us that
we have never had before. Finally we can see what REALLY goes on in
corporate HR departments.
This newsletter is Part 1 of a series I plan to do as I spend more time
searching Enron's emails and as I collaborate with Nelson on the Abramoff
connection to H-1B.
Some of you may be curious enough to do your own research. It's tedious
work to connect the threads and to figure out what they mean, but as you
will see it's worth the time spent. I would welcome your contributions for
future newsletters in this series. The database can be addictive as it's
delightfully voyeuristic, and it requires you to be a detective to track
down things.
If you want to send me results of your research, please spend the time to
put the email threads together and give me an idea what you found out.
***** TECHNICAL DETAILS *****
Before using the search engine it helps to understand some of the technical
aspects of the database. If you don't care about the technical stuff, just
skip to the next section titled "Email Analysis".
To read about the Enron email database, and for useful links, click this
link:
http://bailando.sims.berkeley.edu/enron_email.html
A more detailed description of the dataset and how it was obtained is at
the following link. You can download the entire database from their if you
prefer to tinker with it offline. If any of you figure out how to un-TAR it
and get it to work, please contact me. I'm not a UNIX guy and this is
obviously a UNIX database that I will have to adapt to Windows.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~enron/
Two online search engines are available. The one at Berkely is down, but
the enronemail.com site works. The Berkely search engine was much better
but it appears they may have taken it down for good.
You are required to sign up to use the enronemail search engine, but it's
free. There is a warning before you are allowed to enter the search engine
that's worth noting because many emails contain offensive material. The
search engine takes awhile to get used to so be patient.
http://www.enronemail.com/
http://orange.sims.berkeley.edu/~atf/enron/enron.cgi
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has more information as well as a
link to another search engine I haven't tried yet but it looks good.
http://www.ferc.gov/industries/electric/indus-act/wec/enron/info-release.asp
Some of the major Enron employees are listed on this web page. It's a
useful reference as you sift through emails:
http://cis.jhu.edu/~parky/Enron/employees
There are many powerful tools available that I haven't tried yet. By
googling "Enron email" I found even more.
*** EMAIL ANALYSIS ***
The email threads follows the analysis. It may be easier to follow both by
copying and pasting the email threads into a word processor so that you can
look at both of them at the same time by putting the windows side by side.
CASE 1: Natalie Bondareva
I have said many times that Labor Market tests are totally useless because
companies have many means to game the system. Organizations such as the
Programmer's Guild have offered evidence that fake job ads for these labor
market tests are very commonplace. Of course our detractors say that the
evidence is anecdotal. The emails of Natalie Bondareva are proof positive
that companies do engage in the practice of fake job ads in order to deny
American workers interviews and job opportunities.
To read more about what the PG has online about RIRs and fake job ads, go
http://www.programmersguild.org/documents.asp
Read a FAQ on labor market tests at:
http://www.zazona.com/ShameH1B/H1BFAQs.htm#LaborMarketTests
Bondareva was working at Enron as an H-1B before they decided to get her a
Green Card. It's not unusual for H-1Bs to be offered a Green Card in return
for their period of indentured servitude.
Enron informed her that they would begin placing job ads for American
workers on October 28, 2001. The ads would run in the Houston Chronicle for
a Senior Specialist for six months. Her GC application would be filed in
April of 2002.
Keep in mind that Enron was required to look for a qualified U.S. citizen
before they could get a work based Green Card but there is not a similar
requirement for H-1B visas. Enron had no intention of hiring U.S. citizens
who responded to the job ads because Bondareva was already on the job. The
entire process was a fraud!
Bondareva must have felt she had a Green Card in the bag when she received
an email from the HR department that informed her the process was underway.
Her good fortune didn't last long. Shortly after
she was promised a Green Card rumors started circulating that Enron was
going to file for bankruptcy.
Two of her H-1B friends named Pauline Reyes and Bobbi Tessandori sent an
email to HR to find out what would happen if Enron did file for bankruptcy.
At first Bondareva dismissed her two friends when she said the rumors were
"bar gossip".
HR answered the questions from Reyes and Tessandori very bluntly. HR said
that if bankruptcy occurred all their H-1Bs would be reported to the INS.
They would have 60 days to find another job before their visa went
out-of-status. Enron would not help them - they were on their own. If Enron
did report their H-1Bs to the INS it might be one of the few lawful things
they ever did (LOL!).
We may never know if Bondareva got another job in the U.S. after her stint
at Enron. One thing for sure is that she didn't get a Green Card through
Enron.
CASE 2: Barry Tycholiz
You know the old saying - "there is nothing more permanent than a temporary
guest worker."
Barry Tycholiz was an employee of Enron in Canada who wanted to transfer to
Houston, Texas by using an L-1 visa. Most of the communications are with an
HR Manager by the name of Fran Mayes.
Enron gave Tycholiz a "bridge loan" to help him with his moving expenses.
He was concerned about the fact that his L-1 visa documents were late so
Fran Mayes expedited things. Tycholiz got his L-1 visa paperwork one day
after he contacted Mayes.
As soon as Tycholiz got his L visa approved, he started wondering how he
was going to get his wife into the U.S. He asked another HR contact if
Enron would help to get his wife a TN (Trade NAFTA) visa. He figured he
could get her a visa "as a registered nurse." He never hinted whether his
wife is qualified to be a nurse.
That was a very clever move by Tycholiz but guest worker visas are supposed
to be filed by the employer, not the spouses employer. Unless Enron hired
her, and it's not clear they did, they violated the law. Enron contacted
Susan King to help Tycholiz with the TN visa. I wasn't able to find out if
Susan King came through for the wife but my gues is that King got the visa.
NOTE: TN visas are unlimited and very easy to obtain.
In case you are wondering, Susan King was an immigration attorney. I found
that out by googling the phone number: 713-228-1303. It traces back to this
law firm, which can be found in one of the email return addresses.
http://www.tindallfoster.com
In early December of 2001 Tycholiz arrived in the U.S. Email correspondence
indicates that in July he began a Green Card process to get permanent
residence. Enron told him they would get the Green Card in 6-12 months. We
hear complaints from many who wish to immigrate to the U.S. that it takes
as long as 10 years to get Green Cards. That's because they weren't vice
presidents for rich corporations like Enron who had the money and power to
grease the skids.
That's not the end of the story however. See this document:
http://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/opinions/rcm/01-16034_Adv03-3522_20051209.pdf
In 2002 Tycholiz was given a bonus of $650,000 by Enron. The U.S.
Bankruptcy court ordered that he pay back the undeserved money. You can bet
that his Green Card was never revoked despite the fact he was involved with
fraud.
I haven't been able to find anything online that showed when or if Tycholis
actually paid the bankruptcy court. Most of the corporate crooks who robbed
pension funds at Enron took their money and ran, and it wouldn't be
surprising if he did also.
<<<<<<<<<<< EMAIL THREADS <<<<<<<<<<<
----- Natalie Bondareva -----
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 14:45:17 -0700 (PDT)
FYI
-----Original Message-----
Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 4:40 PM
Natalie: for your information, your RIR Advertising for your Green Card
will
start on Sunday, October 28 in the Houston Chronicle for the ad of Senior
Specialist, Transaction Support. The six months of advertising will finish
next
March, so your Labor Certification will be filed in April, 2002.
Margaret
////////////////////////////////////////////
-----Original Message-----
Date: Wednesday, November 07, 2001 10:51 AM
Natalie: If it happens, you have approx. 60 days to find another position
before we cancel the HIB with the INS.
Let's think positive!
Margaret
////////////////////////////////////////////
-----Original Message-----
Date: Wednesday, November 7, 2001 10:40 AM
Margaret,
Could you, please, tell me how many days will I have to find a new job to
maintain my H1B visa status in case I'm laid off by Enron?
Everything is fine right now, I'm working but I just want to know what
options I
have in a worst-case scenario.
Thank you,
Natalie
////////////////////////////////////////////
Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001 06:53:05 -0800 (PST)
Read below and don't make me follow up on any "bar gossip" again.
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 14:53:09 -0800 (PST)
-----Original Message-----
Date: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 4:50 PM
Cc: Tessandori, Bobbi
Ladies: you both asked the same question, so here is the attorney's
response.
Please pass on to other concerned individuals.
Thanks
Margaret
////////////////////////////////////////////
-----Original Message-----
Date: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 4:46 PM
An H-1B Temporary Worker is technically violating status once s/he has been
terminated. Once the H-1 is out of status, in theory, s/he is technically
required to depart the US as soon as possible. If the H-1 can find a new
employer and file within approximately 30 to 60 days from the date of
termination, the INS has generally overlooked the violation of the
maintenance of status. Keep in mind this is not a hard and fast rule, and
the INS has the ability to enforce shorter or longer periods on a
case-by-case basis. Enron has generally waited 60 days prior to
information
the INS of foreign nationals termination in order to allow foreign
nationals
to take advantage of this informal INS policy.
If you are currently an H-1B nonimmigrant in the US and you have not
violated your status, such as by beginning work for a different employer,
then you may likely be able to take advantage of a new "portability"
provision in the 2000 amendments to the Immigration & Nationality Act.
This
allows for the new prospective employer to file an amended H-1B petition
and
for the H-1B Temporary Worker to begin working with the new employer once
the petition is filed, rather than having to wait several months for the
case to be approved prior to transferring to the new employer.
You should likely meet with an immigration attorney in person as soon as
possible after being laid off so that you are advised of all the possible
options that may be open to you.
////////////////////////////////////////////
-----Original Message-----
Date: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 4:23 PM
Cc: Susan King
Alice: do you have any answer for this one?
Margaret
////////////////////////////////////////////
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Reyes, Pauline
> Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 2:06 PM
> To: Daffin, Margaret
> Subject:
> Margaret,
> In a bankruptcy situation, will lawyers provide H-1 grace period? If
> so, for how long?
> Thanks,
> Pauline
////////////////////////////////////////////
-----Original Message-----
Date: Thursday, November 29, 2001 8:52 AM
Natalie: this is not true, you would have to extend your HIB visa in order
to
continue working in the US. I do it all the time for our employees.
Margaret
////////////////////////////////////////////
-----Original Message-----
Date: Thursday, November 29, 2001 8:03 AM
Margaret,
Thank you for your reply yesterday.
----- Barry Tycholiz -----
michelle.cash@enron.com
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:45:02 -0700 (PDT)
Attached is an HR Plan Analysis for Leaf River. Please provide comments.
Fran Mayes
HR Manager
////////////////////////////////////////////
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2000 01:44:00 -0800 (PST)
Fran.... Kerri Rigsby from Associates will be contacting you regarding the
Bridge Loan. She needs a letter on file verifying that I will have these
funds.
We still need to decide where we are going to put this money. For right
now,
we should plan on me signing the promisary note by fax, and then have a
cheque sent up to me in Canada so that I can consolidate with the rest of
the
funds required for closing.
Thanks. BT
////////////////////////////////////////////
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2000 00:06:00 -0800 (PST)
Fran... I did not receive the visa package last week.. Hoping it comes in
today's mail as I plan on entering US on Sat. Dec. 2.
BT
////////////////////////////////////////////
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2000 06:55:00 -0800 (PST)
Fran... I have received the L1 visa package and will use documents to Enter
the US on Friday morning.
I have also received the bridge loan documents and have signed these forms
and sent them back to as of right now via inter office mail..... you should
have by tommorrow ( Weds). Can you please sign as required.
I think that is about it other than I need to make arrangements for a
cheque
to be in my hands for friday morning. At this time, I still do not know
where to have this sent.
Thanks. BT
////////////////////////////////////////////
Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001 12:04:00 -0700 (PDT)
Marg, you had co-ordinated for me the L1-A visa I acquired to move from
Canada
to Houston.
I need a lawyer to assist in the preparation and filing of a Visa for my
spouse.
She has been advised to pursue a visa called "TN" which would allow her to
work
as a registered nurse. Apparently under the US - Canada free trade
agreement,
she can acquire this visa which is supposed to be low cost and easy to get.
Can you advise as to the best route to get this underway.
Thanks, Barry Tycholiz
////////////////////////////////////////////
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2001 07:47:53 -0700 (PDT)
Barry: please fax a clear copy of your I-94 to Susan King at 713-228-1303
as
soon as possible.
Thanks
Margaret
////////////////////////////////////////////
-----Original Message-----
[mailto:IMCEANOTES-Susan+20King+20+3Csking+40tindallfoster+2Ecom+3E+40ENRON@
ENRON.com]
Date: Tuesday, August 28, 2001 9:51 AM
Margaret:
I was provided a copy of Mrs. Tycholiz's I-94 card. I do not have a copy
of
Mr. Tycholiz's I-94 card. Please have him fax me a copy. Thank you.
Susan King
////////////////////////////////////////////
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001 14:56:43 -0700 (PDT)
Barry: for your information, your I-140 Petition for Alien Worker was
filed
today with the INS. It will take approx. 6-12 months to receive the
approval.
Margaret
////////////////////////////////////////////
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 13:38:53 -0700 (PDT)
marge, I went in and registered but my name is coming up as a director...
should
be a V.P.... I don't really care but if you are updating files pleas have
this
changed.
Barry Tycholiz
////////////////////////////////////////////
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 07:07:43 -0700 (PDT)
Barry: please see the attached from our immigration attorneys and advise
how
you wish to proceed with the Green Card process? There are two means of
obtaining Permanent Residency - either through Adjustment of Status or
Consular
Processing.
Many thanks
Margaret
x51529
////////////////////////////////////////////
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001 14:56:43 -0700 (PDT)
Barry: for your information, your I-140 Petition for Alien Worker was
filed
today with the INS. It will take approx. 6-12 months to receive the
approval.
Margaret
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