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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.