In-Janco, Jaques plead guilty to illegal immigration charge

February 03. 2009 11:13AM


Janco, Jaques plead guilty to illegal immigration charges
By ED RONCO
Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND — Janco Composites and its president have pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from an immigration raid at the company’s Mishawaka plant in March 2007.

Janco, which makes fiberglass tubing, and its president, Douglas Jaques, were charged with knowingly employing illegal workers for their commercial advantage.

Both admitted to the charges, acknowledging that Social Security numbers did not match new hires, and that the company had been given letters warning them of the problem.


Janco agreed to pay a fine of $210,000.

Jaques agreed to a year of probation and a $30,000 fine. He acknowledged knowing about an employee, called "E.O." in federal court documents, who helped illegal workers complete I-9 employment forms, and that he should have known the workers were not authorized to work.

Attorneys for Jaques and Janco were not immediately available for comment.

Jaques is a member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County.

Mark Dobson, president and chief executive of the Chamber, said he could not comment on whether Jaques guilty plea imperils his position on the board.

"We’ve not addressed that, yet," Dobson said today. "Doug would want to do right by the Chamber board, so if there is any issue, Doug would be up front about it."
http://southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.d ... ate=247art

"Jaques is a member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County. "

That speaks volumes Chamber of Commerce is right up there with LaRaza