Investigation Update: Illegal Workers On Elmendorf AFB
Andrea Gusty
Created: 12/22/2009 12:00:58 PM PST


ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTVA-CBS 11 News) The Federal Government is now working to close the loophole that allowed illegal workers on to Elmendorf Air Force Base.

Steel System Erectors out of Southern California brought illegal immigrants from California to Elmendorf to construct the new F-22 hangars on base.

Since our story aired, Federal officials are now taking steps to make sure it does not happen again.

A federal investigation found not only did Steel System Erectors not follow Alaska's workers compensation laws for their 30 employees, but four of those employees were undocumented workers, one with a criminal record.

Since our story originally aired, John Lewis, president of Ironworkers Local 751 has received thousands of emails and calls from people across the nation, who were appalled at the breach of security.

"A lot of people are under the impression, and rightfully so, that perhaps this contractor obtained the bid by cutting costs in some way, and hoping they would get away with it, and effectively stole the job away from Alaskans," says Lewis.

The case has sent shock waves through the community, and has even reached Alaska's Congressional delegation.

Senator Mark Begich sent the Eye Team this statement: "This matter came to the attention of our office several weeks ago, and I have been talking to the Air Force asking them to help identify where the point of failure was and what action needs to be taken."


Changes are alreadyhappening. It appears Elmendorf officials are making good on their promise to monitor more closely the contractors that come on base.
"The full extent of security procedures used by the installation is not something we will publicly discuss," 3rd Wing Public Affairs Deputy Chief Stephen Lee told the Eye Team in a statement.

But Elmendorf officials did give the Eye Team one example of the enhanced security measures, saying since the security breach they now "conduct a 100% check of all persons entering the base via an electronic system with access to state and federal criminal data bases."

The enhanced security measures are already being felt. "I've been called by contractors who have said Elmendorf Air Force Base has stepped up checking ids," says Lewis, "It has become a little bit more of a process to gain access to the base."

While no one will say what the security loophole was, officials will say they are now reviewing all contractors who enter Elmendorf.

"We are working diligently to conduct a local criminal history check via the Alaska Public Safety Information Network of all contractors working on base, but with over 17,000 contracted employees, this will take some time," says Lee.

Steel System Erectors has yet to return multiple calls for comment.

The Eye Team has learned other branches of the federal government are getting involved in the case.

The US Labor Department Wage & Hour Division is also investigating Steel System Erectors for possible fraud in the company's payroll system.

The Eye Team will be following it all closely.



http://www.ktva.com/topalaskanews/ci_14048529