Company that caused federal illegal worker raid now back in business with state
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Company that caused federal illegal worker raid now back in business with state

Date: September 30, 2010
By: Theo Keith
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
A father-and-son combination of companies is cleaning state office buildings after one of them got busted for employing illegal workers. Theo Keith has more in Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:38
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: It all started with a late-night raid back in 2007.

The feds arrested about 25 janitorial workers who they suspected were in the country illegally.

The state banned the company from ever cleaning government offices again.

But they're back.

The owner sued and got the ban lifted.

A judge said the owner couldn't have known he had hired illegal workers.

KMOX asked a state spokeswoman how the firm would be monitored...she says she's still checking into it.

The company is back cleaning seven state buildings.

Not only that, but a second business owned by the man's son is also cleaning government offices.

In Jefferson City, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
The company Missouri fired for using illegal workers is back cleaning state buildings, along with another company owned by the man's son. Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:43
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: When it came to bidding, the state went with the lowest offer, ignoring that one of the companies had gotten busted for employing illegal workers.

The father-and-son combination is connected by more than a last name...

They signed documents with the state saying their companies had the same business address.

When KMOX knocked on the door of that Jefferson City home, no one answered.

The son says he's running a different operation than his father, who got busted for using illegal workers in 2007.

They're both cleaning state buildings now, with the son starting work on Friday.

He refused to answer how he was making sure he didn't employ illegal foreigners.

Instead, he hung up the phone.

From Jefferson City, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
The company that was the focus of a federal illegal worker raid three years ago is back in business with the state. Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The feds raided a Jefferson City office building back in 2007 and arrested about two dozen janitorial workers.

The state broke off its contract with Sam's Janitorial Service, and the owner sued.

The courts said Sam's had no way to know it was hiring illegal workers.

A state spokeswoman says a court order forced Missouri to consider the company for future work.

Now, it's back cleaning seven state office buildings.

Another company, registered to the same business address and to the man's son, is starting a separate contract Friday.

The son hung up the phone when asked whether he could guarantee he wouldn't hire illegal workers.

From Jefferson City, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.