Union Calls Charges Against Swift Rep. 'Misguided'
Documents Detail Charges

POSTED: 1:15 pm CDT August 14, 2007
UPDATED: 1:37 pm CDT August 14, 2007


MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa -- A union representative at the Swift and Co. meatpacking plant in Marshalltown told illegal immigrants seeking employment how to avoid getting caught, according to federal court documents.

Last month, federal officials charged Braulio Pereyra-Gabino, 59, who is the vice president of Local 1149 of the United Food and Commercial Workers, with harboring illegal immigrants. Prosecutors said Pereyra-Gabino allegedly told workers how to protect fake identities they used to get jobs at Swift.

Union officials said the investigation is "misguided.''

J. Keith Rigg, Pereyra-Gabino's attorney, said the indictment is too vague and asked a judge to dismiss the charge.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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