September 20, 2008 - 5:56PM
Candle company still has questions about raid
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Devon Hersom, Tribune
Business was almost back to normal for a Chandler candle company raided by sheriff's authorities last week, despite some unanswered questions from management and a short-handed work staff.

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In total, 65 employees of the more than 200-person Gold Canyon Candle Co. were arrested Sept. 10 on suspicion of identity theft and illegal immigration issues. One woman had even stolen the Social Security number of a male White House staff member, Maricopa County authorities said.

All of the employment records were taken from the office near Riggs Road and Arizona Avenue, even though only 31 people were named in the search warrant, according to the candle company's attorney, Ezra Clark. He believes the search warrant issued to the company was "overbroad" and allowed the officials more freedom than necessary.

"We are getting the documents back after formally requesting them," Clark said.

According to Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the raid was done due to an anonymous tip about possible violations of the employer sanctions law.

According to spokeswoman Rebecca Clyde, the company has not been contacted by MCSO regarding the incident.

"There are so many questions that still linger in the air about it," Clyde said of the raid.

Clyde described the candle manufacturing plant, once a home-based business, as a "by the book, letter-of-the-law-type of company" that has forged ahead despite the controversy.

She visited the company the day following the raid and said workers had rolled up their sleeves to take on the extra work. Clyde said some workers also had to learn other jobs in order to prepare for the holiday gift-giving season.

She did not know whether the company had hired more people to fill the vacant spots, but said that "a small surge" of job applications were received following the news reports of the raid.

Clark expressed disappointment with the sheriff's office treatment of the company, explaining that a warrant had not been provided to him or any company representatives in the midst of the raid. He has since received a copy, but is glad the company is carrying on throughout the scrutiny.

"I would say they are doing remarkably well considering what they went through last week," Clark said.



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