Stoughton Company Fined for Hiring Illegal Workers

A Stoughton company was one of 17 in Massachusetts fined for hiring illegal workers following an investigation and audit of I-9 documents by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the ICE announced in a press release Wednesday afternoon.

Samar Company Inc., located on Cushing St. in Stoughton, was fined $33,786.22, the third highest fine issued.

The company is a "manufacturer/distributor of hose, plastic tubing, rubber sheets, tubing displays, washing machine hose/assemblies and industrial products," according to its website.

"The inspection of the employers' documents is part of HSI's worksite enforcement strategy that launched in 2009 to reduce the demand for illegal employment and protect employment opportunities for the nation's lawful workforce," the release states. "This strategy focuses agency resources on the investigation and audit of employers suspected of cultivating illegal workplaces by hiring workers who are not authorized to work."

In total, the 17 Massachusetts companies were fined $349,619.54.

"These settlements serve as a reminder to employers that HSI will continue to hold them accountable for hiring and maintaining a legal and compliant workforce," Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston, said in a press release.

"We encourage employers to take the employment verification process seriously, as we expand the number of audits we are conducting throughout Massachusetts each year," he continued. "My agency will continue to focus its attention on employers that are knowingly employing illegal workers and will continue to target specific industries and businesses known or alleged to hire illegals."

During FY 2012, HSI conducted 35 inspections of employers' I-9 documents in Massachusetts, according to the release.

Click here to see the full release.