The investigation follows raids at the company's stores.
November 4, 2003
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Wal-Mart said Tuesday that it received a “target letter'' from the U.S. Attorney's office that the world's largest retailer allegedly violated federal immigration laws. Wal-Mart spokeswoman Mona Williams says the company is the target and no Wal-Mart employee has yet received an individual letter.
On Oct. 23, federal agents arrested about 250 suspected illegal workers in a 21-state sweep of 60 Wal-Mart stores. The raids focused on floor cleaners employed by companies that Wal-Mart hired for the work. Ten of those arrested were Wal-Mart employees hired as the company moved to bring its floor cleaning in-house.
Wal-Mart, based in Bentonville, Ark., received the letter Friday. Williams says a grand jury will look at whether the company “violated federal immigration laws in connection with the use of third-party floor cleaning contractors.'' Williams says the company was not surprised by the letter and is cooperating with the government. The company expects the grand jury to begin its hearing in mid-December.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Samuelson in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where the case is being handled, would not discuss specifics of the case.
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