11-year sentence in slavery case
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A millionaire who inflicted years of abuse on two Indonesian housekeepers held as virtual slaves in her Long Island mansion was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Varsha Sabhnani, 46, was convicted with her husband in December on a 12-count federal indictment that included forced labor, conspiracy and involuntary servitude.
The victims testified that they were beaten with brooms and umbrellas, slashed with knives, and forced to climb stairs and take freezing showers as punishment. One was forced to eat chili peppers against her will, then to eat her own vomit, prosecutors said.
Sabhnani, who was identified as the primary abuser, will also serve three years’ probation and pay a $25,000 fine.
Her husband, Mahender Sabhnani, 51, is to be sentenced today.
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