Contractors respond to illegal workers arrests
By
WINK News
Story Created:
May 16, 2008 at 6:41 PM EDT
Story Updated:
May 16, 2008 at 8:26 PM EDT
LEE COUNTY, Fla.- The Lee County Attorney's Office tells WINK News it has asked KRAFT Contracting, the contractor on the Ortiz jail expansion project, to turn over all of the documents it has for the 25 arrested workers.
While only one actually worked for KRAFT, according to the county contract, KRAFT is responsible for making sure all of the workers are legal, including its sub-contractors.
President and COO of Kraft Construction John Pinholster says at no time did they knowingly hire illegal workers. We asked him about the one KRAFT employee arrested on Thursday.
"In fact it turns out he was in fact here illegally working here for us and that his documents were fraudulent and it's my understanding he is being deported," said Pinholster.
But, short of doing I guess extension federal background checks, I don't know what else to do," Pinholster went on to say after we asked what else can be done to make sure this does not happen again.
In 2007, KRAFT signed an agreement with Lee County saying it will not use illegal workers on the jail expansion project, this includes its sub-contractors. All contractors are now required to do so when entering into the bidding process with Lee County.
Most of the 25 arrested on Thursday worked for sub-contractors, including Spectrum Contracting.
Spectrum also tells WINK News it did not knowingly hire illegals.
"Everything is on file, everything is documented, we are definitely in compliance," said Bob Valentine with Spectrum Contracting.
If immigration determines the workers were here illegally, they broke the law and will be deported.
The County Attorney's office says it will review the documents for all 25 and determine whether the companies knowingly hired them and if it finds the companies did, it has the right to cancel the contract.
We are told the arrests should not impact the completion of the expansion project.
KRAFT says it reminded all of its employees and sub-contractors Friday of its policy that all workers and documents must be legal.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement would not release the names of the other companies involved because the investigation is ongoing.
Monday, Jun 16 at 8:37 PM Sunflower wrote ...
I have went to Immokalee and there is some nice neighborhoods.But for the most part it is alot of houses and trailors that should not even be liveable because there in such bad condition.And there is alot of Immigrants that live in there.And they ride the farmbuses to work in the fields and I know that myself and my children would not want to live in that kind of condition and to have to have that kind of a job.Because there is not many of us would want that kind of life.
Friday, Jun 13 at 9:21 AM Butterfly wrote ...
I heard that the Iraq people in Cuba in jail for crimes that the goverment is making them U.S.A.Citizens.But yet we can't let hard workers get there papers but we can let the Iraq's that is evil to be a U.S.A.Citizens.That's so mess-up.It was on the news this morning.
Friday, May 30 at 12:04 PM John wrote ...
Butterfly..I would not want to work in the fields and I think there is alot of america people would't want to have those kinds of jobs too.
Thursday, May 29 at 5:11 PM Butterfly wrote ...
Why is all the immigrants faults?What about all the millions of our dollars that Bush spending on the war.Our kids will be paying for that a long time.There is jobs in the fields anyone wants to work there????The americans people needed them for a long time because we don't want to get pay alittle money for alot of work.They work hard.There is alot of people's abuse the system for along time.Not just Spanish people what about other races.
Sunday, May 18 at 4:58 PM Anonymous In Naples wrote ...
Co's often hire illegals for they pay less and usually in cash.If they got hurt on your property I doubt if your ins.would pay.What does the wker do if co. doesn't provide insur?Go to hospital.Then hosp.doesn't get paid.If thoseCo's hire illegal workers,I would wonder what other ways they cut their costs?!ESPECIALLY materials that you don't see!KrafT said they were legal when hired asked.Where are proofs?Not verbals.A legal company would make sure all docs are in order.Do we need the proof?YES!
Saturday, May 17 at 8:43 PM SW wrote ...
I am glad the cops are doing SOMETHING in East Fort Myers. They certainly aren't trying to stop the killing. Why spend your time on murderer's when you can stop illegal contruction worker's
Saturday, May 17 at 4:11 PM Anonymous wrote ...
I worked on the coconut mall project. One day the immigration truck drove through. It was like a mass evacuation, about 50 illegals ran to their cars and peeled out on 41. It's about time they crack down on this MAJOR PROBLEM!!! I have several friends that are unemployed because of this, not to mention the way the wages have drastically dropped.
Saturday, May 17 at 1:57 PM Frank Miranda wrote ...
This is really the insult on top of the injuries, that so many U.S. workers are out of work , facing major financial burdens... My guess is that if can't get this part right. Is there any hope for the rest of us?
Saturday, May 17 at 11:09 AM LOCAL SUB CONTRACTOR wrote ...
I AGREE A REPRESENTATIVE OF KRAFT DOES OWN SPECTRUM AND YES THEY DID KNOW. ANY JOB I WALK ON TO WORK THERE ARE MORE ILLEGALS THAN LEGALS. ALL THE EXCUSES ARE JUST TIME BUYING WHILE I SIT HOME WITH NO WORK, EDGING TOWARD FORECLOSURE WHILE KRAFT IS BIDDING WITH AMERICAN WAGES AND THEN UNDERCUTTING FOR BIGGER PROFITS. WHAT EXCUSE DO WE HAVE NOW.............
Saturday, May 17 at 10:16 AM Jenkins wrote ...
Kraft, and like all other employeers have to by law law fill out employeee tax papers. So you will not tell me that they did not know? They should loose their contracting permits, and be charged according to law.
Saturday, May 17 at 9:46 AM Mary Ann Nichol wrote ...
In this day and time - is there no one left in a high position with any integrity? When everyone is lying, cheating, stealing and killing to get ahead, I would like to know someone who could rise above the rest and be honest. They would get ALL MY VOTES & BUSINESS!
Saturday, May 17 at 6:31 AM scott wrote ...
they should of let them finish the jail and then put them all in it, including the president of Kraft...
Saturday, May 17 at 6:02 AM Witheld wrote ...
To Mr Schaffer comments, MONEY TALKS.
Saturday, May 17 at 5:59 AM Ron wrote ...
He signed the contract, they broke the law, they must go to jail. ( The one they are working on ).
Friday, May 16 at 10:11 PM JO wrote ...
I THINK THE PRESIDENT OF KRAFT ALSO OWNS SPECTRUM PAINTING
Friday, May 16 at 8:54 PM trky wrote ...
you wonder why the price is so right?
Friday, May 16 at 7:54 PM Rick Lonski wrote ...
What, haven't they heard of a program by the government, called E-Verify, that would verify the identification. That may cause them to loose their worker, because they are illegal! Only, over 12,000 employers representing over 45,000 sites are participating in E-Verify, but not our contractors, getting our tax-dollars. http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm
Friday, May 16 at 7:46 PM Robert Schaffer wrote ...
Too bad ICE did not hit one of the biggest employers of illegals. City of Cape Coral's Utility Project and their city landscape maintenance. Guess they are exempt.
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