Opinion ID: 3058598
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Rodrigo Donadio

Text: Caro and La Bamba cashed checks for more clients than simply Obispo and Cashflow. One of those clients, Rodrigo Donadio, a subcontractor who owned the companies, “Second to None” and “Bencomo Artemisa.” Donadio had a pre-existing business relationship with Alfredo Ortega. Ortega approached Donadio and asked how he was paying his workers, some of whom were illegal aliens. Ortega explained a company was available that would 31 allow Donadio to write checks that could be used to pay his workers in cash. Other companies were doing the same thing, according to Ortega. After two weeks, Donadio asked Ortega about more details. Ortega explained the scheme, including how Donadio’s workers would be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Donadio agreed and Ortega gave him the name of DNC to write checks to. After another few weeks, Ortega directed Donadio to write checks to Fast instead of DNC. Later, Donadio was directed to write checks to Spirit. Regardless of to whom the checks were written, Donadio payed a 5% to 6% commission per check, and those checks were cashed at Cashflow. Donadio testified that he knew the scheme was illegal, but he explained that the benefit of using the shell companies was that he no longer had to pay payroll taxes or be concerned with workers’ compensation insurance. After some time, Donadio contacted Caro and asked if Caro could provide a similar service, but at a reduced rate. Caro was willing to provide the identical service for a 3.5% to 4% per check fee. In early 2007, Caro gave Donadio the name Mira to write checks to. Caro instructed Donadio to contact La Bamba for a copy of Mira’s insurance certificate. Donadio wrote checks from Second to None to Mira in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $80,000 every Thursday and sent them by facsimile to La Bamba. Normally, several hours later Chaoui personally delivered the cash to Donadio. 32 However, on the few occasions when Donadio went to La Bamba to have his checks cashed, this was done directly by Caro. Specifically, Donadio testified about an April 4, 2007, check in the amount of $29,204. Donadio explained that he signed the check to Mira and delivered it to Chaoui. But Donadio could not explain the endorsement on the back of the check. It was not his, nor did he know whose it was. Donadio also began writing checks from his other company, Bencomo Artesima, to Mira and cashing those checks at La Bamba. After seven to nine months, Donadio was told by Chaoui to write his checks to another company, DJ. Donadio again received an insurance certificate from La Bamba for DJ. In March 2008, Donadio was approached by law enforcement officers. Donadio cooperated in the investigation and obtained immunity for his statements and was not charged in the conspiracy.