2 Pittsfield Companies Fined For Hiring Undocumented Workers

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two city companies have been fined for hiring undocumented workers.

Jae's Spice was fined $3,000 and Sampco Inc. was fined $550 as the result of an audit from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.

The audit comprised of reviews of the Form I-9s from employers suspected hiring employees who are not legally allowed to work in the United States. The forms are filled out for every individual an employer hires. A total of 17 state employers were fined for fiscal 2012 for a total of $349,619.

"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," said Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston, in a statement released on Wednesday. "We encourage employers to take the employment verification process seriously, as we expand the number of audits we are conducting throughout Massachusetts each year. 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."

Fines in Massachusetts:
  • Alliance for Affordable Housing Inc. of Everett, $888.25;
  • Amex Inc. of East Boston,  $70,000;
  • Bread & Company Inc. of Everett, $9,804;
  • Cap Seafood Inc. of New Bedford, $9,804;
  • Danco Retail Food Outlet Inc. of Worcester, $935;
  • Fruitlands Restaurant, Inc., aka Sorrento's Pizza, of Harvard,  $2,805;
  • Jae's Spice of Pittsfield, $3,000;
  • Leechen Restaurant Inc. of Lawrence, $9,441.63;
  • Metropolitan Linen Services Corp. of Everett, $13,635.19;
  • Northern Pelagic Group LLC (NORPEL) of New Bedford, $151,200;
  • Ocean Crest Seafoods of Gloucester, $9,000;
  • Panda House Inc. of Westfield, $4,675;
  • Pier Fish Company Inc. of New Bedford, $2,200;
  • Quality Workforce Inc. of Brockton, $26,881.25;
  • Samar Company Inc. of Stoughton, $33,786.22;
  • Sampco Inc. of Pittsfield, $550; and
  • STAT Products Inc. of Ashland, $1,014.

Tags: federal fines,   ICE,   undocumented workers,   

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Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

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