Again, I don't know the authority for this statement. However, even if were true, the fact is that the whole intention of ICAO is that it shouldn't matter. If an aircraft is maintained and the pilot qualified to ICAO minimum standards the nationality of the aircraft irrelevent.
Its information freely out there. It's information freeely being discussed on this forum. I doubt IO keeps an apartment in New York and Pace has already stated that he does not.
It is not that I disagree with your sentiment, the purpose of ICAO is just as you state it just that your argument is flawed. The vast majority of N Reg operators ARE ordinary people flying ordinary aircraft on the N reg who live in Europe with no legitimate US address. The vast majority off them already state the reason they operate on the N reg is the IR.
After all if it was just the PPL then as long as they have the 100hrs they can get a JAA one with nothing more than an air law exam.