Gregor Lesnik v. Ism Vuzem D.O.O.

BACKGROUND

Plaintiffs are Gregor Lesnik, a resident of Slovenia, and Stjepan Papes, a resident of Croatia. They were allegedly recruited and hired to perform unskilled work on construction projects for entities in the United States, including Tesla. The lead contractor on the projects was Eisenmann Corporation. It subcontracted with defendants to provide laborers needed to complete the construction work. The defendants include related entities operated by Robert and Ivan Vuzem, residents of Slovenia.

1 The seven defendants-appellees (“defendants”) are Robert Vuzem; Ivan Vuzem; ISM Vuzem, d.o.o.; ISM Vuzem USA, Inc.; Vuzem USA, Inc.; HRID-Mont, d.o.o.; and Gregurec, Ltd. The Third Amended

U.S. EX REL . LESNIK V. ISM VUZEM D.O.O.

The defendants allegedly helped plaintiffs obtain B-1 visas, to enter the United States, by submitting supporting letters to the United States Consulate. The B-1 visas are typically reserved for workers performing skilled work. Defendants allegedly knew that plaintiffs would not be performing such work but still sought the B-1 visas, making false statements in their letters about the nature of the work plaintiffs would perform. Defendants…