Hit the companies that employ illegal aliens and the executives who run them where they hurt.

The Shipley Do-Nut Co. president pleaded guilty today — and three current and former managers are expected to enter pleas next week — to charges stemming from an April immigration raid, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.

Company President Lawrence Shipley III pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen W. Smith to a misdemeanor charge of employing undocumented workers. He was sentenced to six months' probation and a $6,000 fine.

Shipley, 41, has served as president of the Shipley Do-Nut Flour and Supply Co. since March 2005.

The criminal inquiry into the company began on April 16, with a predawn raid at the headquarters and warehouse complex on Houston's north side. Investigators reported that more than 40 percent of the company's employees were in this country illegally.

U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle said this afternoon that company officials have agreed to pay $1.3 million in lieu of the federal government's confiscating various company-owned residences where undocumented workers were housed.

Others charged with hiring illegal immigrants were Christopher Halsey, 36, the company's warehouse supervisor; former warehouse manager Jimmy Rivera, 54; and current warehouse manager Julian Garcia, 38.

The three are expected to appear before a federal magistrate on Sept. 5.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of six months

Did you get that? This is going to cost the company $1.3 million in cash. That's a lot of donuts, folks. My only complaint is that it isn't more, and that the jail time and fines aren't more substantial.

Now if only we would see this done in every case where we see round-ups of the border-jumping immigration criminals who steal American jobs. After all, the employers are every bit as guilty as the aliens in most instances.

Posted by: Greg at 01:38 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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