New York: India-born US millionaire Varsha Sabhnani, who along with her husband, was convicted of enslaving and torturing two Indonesian women, has been sentenced to 11-years in prison and fined $ 25,000.
Varsha, 46, was seen wiping out tears while talking to two of her four children and husband Mahender Sabhnani, who is due to be sentenced later. Mahender 51, was also seen crying as the judge pronounced the sentence.
Describing the verdict as "harsh", the defence attorneys said they intend to appeal against the decision.
"I love my children very much, more than life itself," Varsha said, adding, "I feel I was brought to the earth to help people who are in need."
The couple, who had a flourishing perfume business, was convicted in December last year on 12 counts including modern day slavery, forced labour, involuntary servitude and harbouring illegal aliens.
Federal District Judge Arthur Spatt, who pronounced the sentence, however, postponed the decision on back wages that the couple owes to the two women.
Prosecutors claim the back wages amount to $1.1 million but defence gave a much lower figure of $ 214,000.
The Indonesian women, who were hired as household helps, testified in court that they were beaten with brooms and umbrellas, slashed and forced to take cold water showers for what Varsha perceived to be their "mistakes".
One of them testified that she was forced to eat dozens of peppers and also forced to eat her vomit.
The defense argued that the women had concocted the story and the bruises were result of witchcraft they practiced.
The judge observed, the testimony was "eye opening that things like this go on in our country."
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