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Escondido, CA Focus Campaign
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Escondido City Councilman Accused Of Hiring Undocumented Workers

POSTED: 4:04 pm PDT October 3, 2006
UPDATED: 6:30 pm PDT October 3, 2006

ESCONDIDO, Calif. -- One Escondido city councilman is quickly becoming the story in the immigration controversy, 10News reported.

City councilman Sam Abed denied he has ever hired undocumented workers.

Critics said Abed used undocumented workers to renovate a building he owns in Escondido.

Lorenzo, an undocumented and unlicensed contractor said in 2004, he worked in Abed’s building alongside other undocumented workers.

“I worked for him for about one month. There were 3 to 4 other workers working at the same time,” said Lorenzo.

Lorenzo agreed to speak to 10News investigators at the urging of community activist Daniel Perez.

Perez said, “I want to let the public know about the people we have at City Hall.”

10News took these accusations straight to Abed on the steps of Escondido City Hall.

“Those were documented workers who worked there. I contracted with a licensed contractor here and he did the work,” said Abed.

However, when pressed by 10News investigators, Abed said he could not remember the name of the contractor.

“We can go inside and find the permits,” said Abed.

10News investigators asked to see Abed’s construction permits, but he said he could not remember the name of the contractor he hired and paid for the work.

“He gave me three checks,” said Lorenzo.

Lorenzo admitted he has no proof, but Perez hopes the community and Abed are listening.

“I hope Mr. Abed understands the trust of this community is something valuable,” said Perez.

Abed has also claimed that one-fourth of the residents in Escondido were illegal immigrants. He told 10News investigators he had no proof to back his claim, saying the numbers did not matter, implying that one illegal immigrant was one too many.