Sentenced for Hiring Illegals

Article By Writer Michael Kraft Author: Michael Kraft
Published: April 2, 2007
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Related: National News Key Issues Immigration

Executives Sentenced for Hiring Illegal Aliens
March 31, 2007 04:37 PM EST

by Jim Kouri - SAN DIEGO — Two top executives for the Golden State Fence company were sentenced today for ignoring warnings by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and repeatedly hiring unauthorized workers, capping the first federal prosecution of a California-based employer for illegal hiring practices.

At a hearing here this morning, U.S. District Judge Barry T. Moskowitz sentenced Golden State’s president, Melvin Kay, to three years probation, with 180 days of home confinement, and a $200,000 fine. The company’s vice president, Michael McLaughlin, was sentenced to three years probation, with 180 days of home confinement, and a $100,000 fine. In addition, the Judge ordered the Riverside, Calif., corporation to forfeit $4.7 million of proceeds generated by its illegal hiring practices.

“Meaningful employer sanctions, such as those imposed against Golden State and its principals, are an important component of criminal enforcement of illegal immigration across our border with Mexico,” said United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt.

Golden State, which builds fences for residential, commercial and military projects throughout Calif., was first notified in writing in 1999 that at least 15 of its employees at its Oceanside, Calif., office were unauthorized alien workers following a visit by agents with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in July of that year.

From TCV
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/23947.html