UPDATED: Federal Court: Diaz, Wife Both "Illegal Immigrants", Plead "Not Guilty"

UPDATED

We have new developments in the case of Hugo Diaz.

Federal authorities now say Hugo Diaz and his wife Blanca are also illegal immigrants.

Columbia County requires business owners to file for an occupational tax that acts a a business license. The process also requires the owner to verify they are legimate US citizens, qualified aliens, or non-immigrants, which Hugo Diaz checked on his 20-10 application for his framing business, De La Fuente Contractors Incorporated.

County administator Scott Johnson says he was also required to show a license and sign a notorized alfivadavvit.

From there, Johnson says they sent his information through a federal verification process. They say they did NOT get any red flags.

I think there are some problems on the other end. We are compiling the data that we are being asked to compile and sending it in, what happens to it when it goes to a state or national level I don't know.

Officials from the county say Diaz' wife Blanca also paid occupational tax for a similar business called Miranda Contractors

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Columbia County Construction business owner, Hugo Diaz, is accused of  harboring illegal immigrants and laundering the profits.

Friday his Grace Avenue home in Columbia County was raided by the FBI, ICE, IRS, and the Sheriff's Office.

Agents with ICE said several illegal immigrants were found in the home and detained.

His wife Blanca is also charged.

Monday, both pleaded not guilty in federal court to 4 counts of knowingly harboring illegal immigrants, and 1 count of money laundering conspiracy.

Hugo Diaz also pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of money laundering-transactions totaling several hundred thousand dollars in cash and property.

Those property transactions include real estate in Georgia and South Carolina, and ten vehicles.

If convicted, each crime carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.

the Diaz' attorneys would not comment.

There is no set court date for the husband and wife.

Assistant United States Attorney James Durham confirms Hugo and Blanca Diaz are also illegal immigrants.