Suffolk County lowers fine, may settle illegal immigrant case

By Michael H. Samuels

Monday, June 9, 2008

Suffolk County has once again reduced the fine against North Star Concrete, the only company caught in County Executive Steve Levy’s controversial 2006 crackdown on companies hiring illegal immigrants.

North Star employed one undocumented worker.

The county last week reduced the fine, for a second time, to $2,000. The company was originally fined $18,000, which was later cut in half to $9,000 and again recalculated after the company appealed to the county Department of Labor, County Attorney Christine Malafi said.

The company has also filed a notice to claim in federal court, the precursor to any federal lawsuit, North Star’s attorney Robert LaReddola said.

LaReddola said the fine is now more aligned with federal fine regulations.

“Suffolk County was trying to use a different standard,â€