The federal government is arguing that property in Vinton, Iowa, and in Orlando, Fla., owned by the proprietor of a Chinese restaurant involved in an immigration sting last fall, should be seized.

Court documents indicate that a residence on O Avenue in Vinton belonging to Peony Chinese Restaurants proprietor Chan Gia Duong as well as a townhouse in Florida are “proceeds” of illegal activity. Duong, who owns restaurants in both Vinton and Toledo, had four of employees detained last November on possible illegal immigration violations. Federal authorities searched both the business and the Duong home at the time of the raid, seizing financial documents and an undisclosed amount of money.

Former employees, several residing in what was described as substandard living quarters above the Vinton restaurant, have indicated that they were paid primarily in cash and were hired through a Chicago employment agency.

Duong could not be reached for comment.