Thread: Factory Owner Pleads Guilty in Immigration Case

Nov 3, 5:32 PM EST

FACTORY OWNER PLEADS GUILTY IN IMMIGRATION CASE

By RUSSELL CONTRERAS
Associated Press Writer



BOSTON (AP) -- The president of a New Bedford leather-goods factory that was raided last year by immigration agents has pleaded guilty to harboring and concealing illegal immigrants.

Francesco Insolia, the owner of Michael Bianco Inc., was charged with conspiring to induce illegal immigrants to live in the United States and conspiring to hire illegal immigrants. However, as part of a plea deal, Insolia agreed Monday to plead guilty to a single charge of harboring and concealing immigrants.

Michael Bianco Inc., a manufacturer that was awarded almost $230 million in contracts, also pleaded guilty Monday to 18 specific counts of knowingly hiring illegal immigrants between early 2004 and late 2006. The company has agreed to pay a fine of about $1.5 million and pay around $460,000 in restitution for overtime owed to employees.

Insolia faces a year to 18 months in prison for his guilty plea and has agreed to pay a fine of $30,000.

"The defendants' conduct in this case undermines our nation's principles of freedom and the integrity of our immigration system, oftentimes placing legally operating businesses at a competitive disadvantage," said U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan.

In March 2007, federal authorities arrested 361 workers, most of whom were from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

Immigrant advocates criticized the raid for separating families and leaving children without proper care. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has said the raid was properly handled.

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