Company that built a border fence pleads guilty to hiring illegal immigrants

SAN DIEGO (AP) A Southern California fence-building company, its founder and another executive have pleaded guilty to knowingly hiring illegal immigrants. They'll pay a combined penalty of five (m) million dollars.

Prosecutors will ask for sentences of six months, but prison time is rare in such cases.

The fine, however, is one of the biggest ever imposed in an immigration case. The company will pay most of it. Founder and president Mel Kay will forfeit 200-thousand-dollars. Manager Michael McLaughlin will pay 100-thousand.

The two men admitted hiring at least ten illegal immigrants. The immigration service has said there were many more. A defense attorney said: "People slip through the cracks" and that "mistakes were made." Among Golden State Fence's projects in recent years was part of a 14-mile border fence in San Diego.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 12-14-06 1529CST | save this article / add to your favorites list