Head of factory that was raided pleads guilty
By Brian Ballou, Globe Staff
The president and principle shareholder of a New Bedford company that was awarded almost $230 million in government contracts pled guilty this morning to illegally hiring and concealing undocumented workers, and now faces up to 18 months in jail.
The plea by Francesco Insolia, 51, of Pembroke, caps an almost two-year investigation following a massive raid of the Michael Bianco Inc. manufacturing company. At least 361 undocumented workers were detained following that raid.
“Our nation is rich with opportunities and it is no wonder that people from around the globe seek to come here to work and live,'' US Attorney Michael Sullivan said this afternoon during a press conference. "The defendant’s conduct in this case undermines our nation’s principles of freedom and the integrity of our immigration system, placing legally operating businesses at a competitive disadvantage.”
In addition to a possible jail term, Insolia has agreed to pay a fine of $30,000. The company, MBI, has agreed to pay a fine of approximately $1.5 million and to pay about $460,000 in restitution for the overtime owed to employees.
Late last month, two managers for the company pleaded guilty to various charges, including hiring and harboring illegal aliens. Sentencing for all three is scheduled for January.
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If entering the U.S. illegally is breaking Federal Law, then my question is simply why is it not enforced? It is unfair to those companies trying to do the right thing.
Even more important are the 361 citizens who must ask for help in feeding, and sheltering their families due to UN employment. We cannot be the refugee camp for the world. It simply comes down to economics, and physics. A good analegy would be "How many people can you squeeze into a phone booth.?