Thread: Naples packing plant workers enter not guilty pleas

Two Stories Two sources

NAPLES - ?An attorney for several Naples packing plant workers accused of workers comp fraud filed not guilty pleas for his clients at a court hearing Monday morning.

The case stems from the raid of a packing plant where more than 100 workers were detained, most of them presumed to be in the country illegally. We spoke to the attorney, Donald Day, who tells us he represents 64 of workers accused.

Authorities say many of the workers at the plant may have been using fake or stolen Social Security numbers. They are charged with unlawful use of fake ID for workers comp and possession of counterfeit ID.

Immigrant advocates have been critical of the raid by the state's Division of Insurance Fraud. They say the state should focus on employers, when it comes to the unauthorized hiring of immigrants.

Members of a group called "Equal Voice N?etwork" rallied outside the courtroom in hopes the charges would be dropped. They say while undocumented, the workers are a big part of the community.

"A lot of the workers don't even know what happened to them. They are getting charges against them they don't understand," said Isabel Sousa, with the Florida Immigration Coalition.
Advocates tell us most of the workers have bonded out of jail. Some, however, are still in custody and have immigration holds.

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/26246381/...t#.U-kIfCTD-Um


Packinghouse workers for Oakes Farms plead not guilty


NAPLES, Fla. - Farmworkers and immigrants advocates from across Florida attended a first arraignment hearing Monday for more than 100 undocumented workers accused last month of using false Social Security and alien registration numbers to work at a packing house in Naples.

Advocates said outside the courthouse that the Oakes Farms workers are not criminals, but just people who work hard for their families.

“They put food on the table for the United States,” said Blanca Moreno, from the Farmworkers Association of Florida. “…It’s time to stop the injustice.”

None of the workers had to appear in court, and only about six showed up. The attorneys who represent them entered pleas of not guilty and they are now waiting for trial.

The workers are charged with stating false information to apply for a job in relation to workers’ compensation fraud and use of false documents to commit fraud.

Attorney Donald Day, who said he represents 64 of the workers and entered pleas of not guilty for them, said undocumented workers don’t make any money for giving false Social Security numbers when they apply for a job.

He said part of the premiums paid to the worker’s compensation insurance carriers come from the salaries of the undocumented workers. Then, when they get injured, and the insurance carrier finds they are undocumented, they don’t want to pay them, he said.

“They (the insurance carriers) make the money,” he said.

He said he still has two or three clients in jail and added that the State Attorney is talking of amending the charges.

Isabel Sousa, from the Florida Immigrant Coalition, said that a lot of workers don’t even know what is happening and that some workers are in custody awaiting immigration proceedings.

Sousa asked the State Attorney to drop the charges against immigrants who are integrated in their neighborhoods and schools and who are necessary for the agriculture industry.

The date for the trial has not been announced yet.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/crime...n-court-monday

Stolen or fake SS nos. and thinking of amending the charge. Insurance fraud should be the least of their worries, so I hope he's upgrading the charges!~ LOL

Big political contributions at work?!