Illegal immigrants arrested at US leather goods manu - leatherbiz: Lea Leatherbiz

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Illegal immigrants arrested at US leather goods manufacturer

08/03/2007
 
350 employees at US leather manufacturer Michael Bianco Inc., based in New Bedford, MA, have been arrested following a raid involving some 300 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The owner of the company and three managers were also arrested on charges in connection with the alleged hiring of illegal aliens. Another individual was also taken into custody on a charge of providing fraudulent identification documents to workers at the factory.

If convicted, Francesco Insolia, the owner of the company, and the three managers each face a maximum sentence of six months in prison, and a $3,000 fine for each illegal alien hired by the firm on the conspiracy to hire illegal aliens charge; and 10 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on the charge of conspiracy to encourage illegal aliens to reside in the United States.

The company makes handbags and leather goods, including military backpacks and survival vests. Since 2003, it has received almost $100 million in military contracts, and, according to a federal indictment, its workforce has grown from 85 to 500.



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