Firm hired illegals to keep up with military contracts, feds say

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Firm hired illegals to keep up with military contracts, feds say

BOSTON -- The owner of a New Bedford leather company was arrested after a raid at his company Tuesday and accused of hiring hundreds of illegal immigrants to work in "sweat shop" conditions so he could meet the demands of $91 million in military contracts.

Frances Insolia, 50, and three top managers were arrested after about 300 federal agents raided Michael Bianco Inc. at about 8:20 a.m.

About two thirds of the company's 500 employees were detained by immigration officials on suspicion of being in the U.S. illegally. The sweep caused chaos which saw some workers try to flee, only to be turned back by the bitter cold, said Bruce Foucart, Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge.

U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan accused Insolia of exploiting the illegals to maximize his profits on the military contracts.

Sullivan said workers were paid about $7 to $7.50 per hour and Insolia set up "deplorable conditions," including docking employees $15 for every minute they were late, and $20 fines for spending more than two minutes in the bathroom or talking while working.

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