17 MA Employers Fined for Employing Unlawful Employees
On November 14, 2012, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported that 17 Massachusetts employers received fines totaling $349,619.54 in the 2012 fiscal year. The employers were charged after ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) audited Form I-9 documents submitted by employers around the state.
The employers are required to submit a Form I-9 for every employee they hire. The form requires the employer to make sure the person is eligible to work in the state and make sure the person’s employment records appear genuine.
Massachusetts Companies Fined in FY 2012:
• Alliance for Affordable Housing Inc. in Everett
• Amex Inc. in East Boston
• Bread & Company Inc. in Everett
• Cap Seafood Inc. in New Bedford
• Danco Retail Food Outlet Inc. in Worcester
• Fruitlands Restaurant, Inc. (Sorrento's Pizza) in Harvard
• Jae's Spice in Pittsfield
• Leechen Restaurant Inc. in Lawrence
• Metropolitan Linen Services Corp. in Everett
• Northern Pelagic Group LLC (NORPEL) in New Bedford
• Ocean Crest Seafoods in Gloucester
• Panda House Inc. in Westfield
• Pier Fish Company Inc. in New Bedford
• Quality Workforce Inc. in Brockton
• Samar Company Inc. in Stoughton
• Sampco Inc. in Pittsfield
• STAT Products Inc. in Ashland
This year’s fines are the highest ever imposed on Massachusetts employers since HSI started similar investigations in 2009. 11 companies were fined a total of $175,420.25 in 2011; three companies were fined a total of $67,440 in 2010; and one company was fined $9,753 in 2009.
Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston, stated: “These settlements serve as a reminder to employers that HSI will continue to hold them accountable for hiring and maintaining a legal and compliant workforce. . . .My agency will continue to focus its attention on employers that are knowingly employing illegal workers and will continue to target specific industries and businesses known or alleged to hire illegals.”
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
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