Appeals court upholds NY forced labor conviction

By LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - A federal appeals court has upheld the forced-labor convictions of a Long Island couple sentenced to prison for enslaving two Indonesian housekeepers.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan rejected arguments by attorneys for Mahender (muh-HEHN'-dur) and Varsha Sabhnani (sahb-NAH'-nee) that sought to overturn their conviction. It also ordered a recalculation of restitution so that the Indonesian women can receive more money.

Varsha Sabhnani's lawyer had argued that publicity prevented a fair trial. Her husband's lawyer argued that he did not actively take part in hurting the women.

Varsha Sabhnani is serving a 13-year prison sentence. Her husband, who has been free on bail, has been ordered to begin serving his three-year sentence next week.