MONROE — A tip received by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office in October 2006 about employment of illegal immigrants at Monroe’s Krispy Kreme Doughnuts factory has resulted in a fine against the company.
Chief Deputy Anthony Dwyer said Wednesday, July 8, after receiving the information, some preliminary work was done by his officers, who determined the tip was viable.
“We turned the information over to ICE,” Dwyer said.
After discussions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, the decision was made to proceed with an administrative investigation of the activity rather than a raid similar to the one that took place in August 2007 at Koch Foods in Fairfield.
Krispy Kreme agreed to pay a $40,000 fine settlement for violating immigration laws by hiring illegal immigrants at its Lawton Avenue plant, U.S. immigration police said.
ICE officials said an audit revealed the company had employed 25 unauthorized workers locally and did not have required paperwork for all workers at the plant.
“Employers have a responsibility to hire men and women who are authorized to work in the United States and fines are an important component of ensuring their compliance,” Brian Moskowitz, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Michigan and Ohio, stated in a news release. “ICE will use the legal tools at its disposal to address those who neglect or falter in their corporate responsibilities.”
Part of the settlement requires Krispy Kreme to revise its immigration compliance program, and it has agreed to begin implementing new procedures to prevent future violations, ICE said.
In September 2007, ICE issued a notice of Intent to Fine Krispy Kreme. The fine was settled Friday, according to ICE.
“Krispy Kreme has cooperated fully with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials since the audit of our commissary location in Monroe, Ohio, occurred in 2007,” said Brian Little, director of corporate communications for Krispy Kreme. “Krispy Kreme is committed to complying with all laws and regulations in the communities where we do business.”
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, said he is satisfied with the outcome, but noted the action many not have been fast enough for his liking.
“It is the very first time a company in this area has agreed to pay a fine,” Jones said, adding it will send a message to other companies.
Jones said he believes the current administration will focus on business owners who are violators, which is a strategy he has endorsed. In fact, his warning to employers that it’s against the law to hire illegal immigrants was blazoned across six billboards in Butler County in the spring of 2006.
In April, ICE Implemented a new, comprehensive strategy to reduce the demand for illegal employment. Part of that new strategy, ICE is focusing resources auditing and investigation of employers suspected of cultivating illegal workplaces, according to ICE officials.
Monroe Police Lt. Frank Robinson said the department was not aware of the investigation of Krispy Kreme by ICE. Robinson said the department also hasn’t had any problems with the factory.
“We never had any prior complaints or anything from there,” he said.
The Krispy Kreme plant in Monroe is approximately 26,000 square feet and employs 90 people. The location has been in operation since 1998 and produces all varieties of cake and yeast doughnuts, Little said.
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