We had been hearing wisps of conversation about the Globe Restaurant throughout town in recent months. It’s a moral dilemma for Topekans who love the inarguably delicious Indian food served there — after owner Amarpreet “Latti” Singh was charged with harboring illegal aliens and convicted last year, whether or not to return to an establishment so enshrouded in negative press and reputation. A worker at the Globe died of pneumonia while under Singh’s supervision. It’s not exactly something you want to think about while walking into a restaurant hungry for dinner. We recently re-posted the article by Melissa Sewell, the Globe dillema, which appeared in the October 2009 print edition of seveneightfive, along with a letter to the editor we received March 12, 2010. The feedback we’ve been getting since then has been varied and sometimes emotional. But Topekans still have questions, and we decided that we’d ask Melissa to look into the Globe dilemma a little further to see if she could find out what has happened in recent months at the restaurant and in the courtroom to raise the questions anew. The article that follows is what she dug up.
An Update: Three locations on the globe
In the Courthouse: In November, The Globe owner Amarpreet (Latti) Singh was sentenced for charges of harboring three illegal workers for commercial advantage. The allegations involving abuse, threats and coercion were dismissed by the court. Originally, Singh faced up to 10 years in federal prison, but was sentenced for only 18 months. Singh’s attorney, Pedro Irigonegaray, was happy with the outcome – especially the dismissal of all allegations related to abuse and coercion. “My hope now is that Topekans return [to The Globe] to support a good man and his family.”
In federal prison: As of Feb 7, Latti Singh resides in an out-of-state federal prison, so far from Kansas that it is nearly impossible for family to visit. His original sentence of 18 months is speculated by a committee every two months, based on Singh’s behavior. Wife Tirath Kaur is told that currently Latti faces a reduced, 15 month sentence.
In The Globe: 15 months may as well be an eternity for Tirath. She is left to manage a restaurant and a family.
“It’s so tough for me,” she sighs. “Sometimes I don’t understand anything, and I have no time to take care of my children.” Even with an army of friends and family behind her, Tirath continues to struggle through each day.
Singh’s mother (who returned sick to India earlier this month), and her own mother have taken turns helping around the restaurant and with her two children – 9 year old Rachelle and 4 year-old Arun, who Tirath says cries every night for his father. Latti’s friends have swooped in to help Tirath with things like payroll, bill-paying and scheduling. Syed, a family friend who worked with Latti several years ago, is often by Tirath’s side – along with her other employees, family and friends.
“The employees here are just like a family,” Syed says. “It isn’t just a job – everybody is stepping up to do what’s needed.”
[story: Melissa Sewell / photos: David Kitchner]
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Karl
5 months ago
I appreciate the added coverage. Beautiful photos, as well. I’m happy to see the allegations of abuse and coercion were dropped.
However, this article still pulls more on the heartstrings than the facts. I think the answer remains unclear: Was Singh providing an opportunity for these workers (whose options are obviously limited) – or was he taking advantage of them?
I tried, to no avail, to find the court opinion online.
Melissa
5 months ago
I really like the writing in this story but I do have to agree that the bias leans too heavily on the taste of the food and the plight of the family and not enough on the other side of the story: the fact this person was accused, and later convicted, of some pretty unconscionable activity.
Regardless of whether he is innocent or guilty, I think some other important aspects to have included in the story that would make it a bit more fair and balanced are what those in the city who are choosing not to go to the Globe because of its new-found reputation have to say, what city officials are thinking, what the family or friends of this worker who died of pneumonia have to say about the allegations. Though I sympathize with the struggling family trying to make ends meet at the Globe, I imagine the family of the worker is suffering equally as much, if not more, and would be interested to know whether or not they think Singh is responsible for their loved one’s death.
And what about the other undocumented workers that were working at the time? What are their thoughts on the working conditions at the Globe?
It’s quite possible the family members left running the Globe aren’t the only victims here i.e. there might be a lot more to follow up on than just their point of view.
Kris H.
5 months ago
As long as Singh still owns it, I won’t eat there. I go to Lawrence now when I want Indian food.
Richard M.
5 months ago
Mr. Singh illegally trafficked in human beings for his financial benefit, and evidentlly kept people in his employ in unsafe conditions. The fact that a lawyer as skilled as Mr. Irigonegaray was able to get charges of coercion, abuse and threats dismissed doesn’t mean the acts did not in fact occur. Also, I find it hard to believe that his wife and the rest of his family were blissfully unaware of his method of acquiring and retaining the people they worked with in the restaurant. I’m surprised they weren’t charged as accessories or co-conspirators. This story reads more like a pitch for a local business than a real piece of journalism.
The man Mr. Singh helped to shorten the life of was a nice man, a considerate person, always ready with a kind word and a smile, and one of the reasons we enjoyed eating at the Globe so much. Now that smile is gone forever, and you seemed to be too busy kissing up to Mrs. Singh to take more than passing note of that fact. Did you think to contact his family and see how they are doing now that they are deprived of their relative, not for a few months, but forever?
This article reflects poorly on your magazine. Fortunately, with reading local stories as well as eating at the Globe, I have other options available that won’t leave a bad taste in my mouth when I’m done.