Mauritius' Diplomat Fined for Underpaying Help in Englewood, US

U.S. Magistrate Judge Patty Shwartz ordered Somduth Soborun, 61, who now lives in the Washington area, to pay the fine within 30 days.

Soborun pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor offense in September, admitting that he failed to properly pay a domestic worker minimum hourly and overtime wages between December 2008 and August 2009. At the time, he was living in Englewood with his wife and two children and serving as the permanent representative of Mauritius to the United Nations.

As part of his plea agreement, Soborun has already paid $24,153 in restitution to the domestic worker, who was identified in court papers only by the initials C.V. The woman worked in the Soborun household by cleaning, doing laundry, ironing and taking care of the family dog, usually for 12 hours per day, six days a week, authorities said.

In remarks to the judge, Hackensack defense attorney Nicholas R. Doria described Soborun as a man “who has led an exemplary life” dedicated to public service. Doria said Soborun worked as an educator at various levels before entering the diplomatic service of the island nation, located in the Indian Ocean about 1,200 miles off the southeast coast of Africa.

He said Soborun, who was educated in India and served as ambassador to Egypt before coming to the United States, understands that what he did was wrong and has learned a valuable lesson.

Doria added that the shame and embarrassment Soborun has suffered far outweigh any punishment the judge could impose. He asked the judge to set a minimal fine, noting that the ambassador has two children in college.

 “Like all human beings, I have failings, too,” Soborun told the judge. “I’m very sorry to be in this position. I’d like to assure you that it was not, it has never been, and it will never be my intent to hurt anyone in the future,” he said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shanna W. Chen said that, given his background and status, Soborun should have known better.

Soborun “took full advantage” of a domestic employee who came to the U.S. on a visa to work for him, lived in his home with his family, “had no opportunity to socialize outside the home” and “had no way out from under him,” the prosecutor said.

At a point, Chen said, Soborun verbally altered his contract with the worker, slashing her pay to $1,000 a month from $1,600, with no compensation for overtime work.

“He should be embarrassed for what he did,” she said.

The judge agreed that a fine in the middle range of $5,000 was warranted in addition to the restitution to the victim.

Soborun, who was appointed Mauritius’ ambassador to the United States in January 2011, also continues to serve as his country’s permanent representative to the United Nations.