Thread: W.VA-Ohio County Cracks Down On 'Undocumented Workers'

http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=view ... ryid=16415

Ohio County Cracks Down On 'Undocumented Workers'
Posted Thursday, November 16, 2006 ; 07:25 PM

West Virginia Division of Labor targeting employers who break the law.
Story by Jerry Echemann Email | Bio

WHEELING -- Ohio County began a crackdown Thursday on workers who are on the job but not part of an official payroll.

These are known as "undocumented workers," and Thursday, the West Virginia Division of Labor moved against their bosses in magistrate court.

Four business owners now are facing misdemeanor charges. One is a subcontractor for Comcast, who allegedly had undocumented workers stringing cable.

Another is Cameron resident David Hinerman, who allegedly had such workers building a house near West Liberty.

Ohio County Prosecutor Scott Smith said it's unfair to businesses that employ people the right way. The criminal complaints cover both illegal aliens and regular U.S. citizens who are hired without paperwork.

“I think with these initial cases there are more illegal aliens undocumented,” Smith said. “But I think there are many instances where people are here legally, but still undocumented, not on the official payroll and not paying the proper taxes.”

Other businesses charged include Bryer Paving of Hostetter, Pa., which did some private paving work, and Simon Roofing of Youngstown, Ohio, which installed a roof for the Sisters of St. Joseph.

If found guilty of a first offense, these business owners face a fine of between $100 and $1,000 for each undocumented worker on the job.

These scumbags should have to pay $5000 per illegal on their payroll. $100 is a slap in the face.

Second offense should be jail time and seizure of all assets.

http://www.theintelligencer.net/communi ... leID=12928

Four Face Charges For Undocumented Workers on Payroll

By MICHELLE BLUM



WHEELING — Four people are facing criminal charges in Ohio County Magistrate Court for having undocumented workers on their payroll.

The cases were filed by Alan Stall, compliance officer of the West Virginia Division of Labor.

Ohio County Prosecutor Scott Smith said several of the cases involved illegal aliens found working for firms operating in the county. Others involve companies found with employees working who weren’t listed on the payroll, he said.

Those facing charges include Alyce Fortson of Midlothian, Va.; David Hinerman of Cameron; Jamie Simon of Youngstown, Ohio; and Dick Bryer of Hostetter, Pa.

Sheriff Tom Burgoyne said the cases arose after his department requested the Labor Division initiate an investigation of firms operated by Bryer and Fortson, who were employing illegal aliens.

The requests marked the first time a law enforcement agency requested such investigation, Burgoyne said Thursday.

All four of those charged received notices from the Division of Labor to produce records by July 12 but failed to produce them, the criminal complaints state.

Bryer operates a paving firm that was paving driveways in a section of the county. Fortson’s firm was installing cable in the Clinton Hills neighborhood of Ohio County.

Simon, who operates Simon Roofing Systems, is accused of employing a man who was working without records or documents to verify his legal status of authorization to work.

Hinerman, who operates a construction company, allegedly employed four people who had no documentation.

Smith said some workers were American citizens but were undocumented.

“That’s not fair to businesses that are operating within the law,” he said. “The businesses that are operating illegally have an unfair advantage.”

The charges, which are misdemeanors, carry fines between $100 and $1,000 for a first offense. All subsequent offenses carry fines of between $500 and $5,000, Smith said.

Section: Community Posted: 11/17/2006

The one thing I find interesting is that prosecutions of those hiring illegals actually seem to be slightly on the increase, or at least reporting of them is. That's odd, because there were predictions that the GOP loss of Congress would usher in an instant reduction of enforcement by the administration.

Now that`s the way it should be done everywhere. No initiatives, No ordinances, No City Council approval, and No ACLU, just do it!

Originally Posted by mkfarnam

Now that`s the way it should be done everywhere. No initiatives, No ordinances, No City Council approval, and No ACLU, just do it!

In all the time I lived there, I never heard of the ACLU getting involved in anything. Thank goodness.

Originally Posted by mkfarnam

Now that`s the way it should be done everywhere. No initiatives, No ordinances, No City Council approval, and No ACLU, just do it!

I agree.....JUST DO IT with no fanfare....the laws are already on the books. Deal with any consequences that arise later.

Originally Posted by jean

http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=16415



If found guilty of a first offense, these business owners face a fine of between $100 and $1,000 for each undocumented worker on the job.

$100 even $1000/illegal is a slap in the face to all legal visitor $ citizens! 2nd time employers should face jail!