Lindon plant HR manager admits he hired illegals

The human resources manager of a Lindon company raided by immigration agents in February pleaded guilty in court to encouraging undocumented workers to remain in the United States.

Alejandro "Alex" Urrutia-Garcia of Provo entered his plea last Thursday as part of an agreement reached with federal prosecutors.

When sentenced in July, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

Urrutia-Garcia admitted that while employed as human resources manager for Universal Industrial Sales Inc., he hired several employees knowing that they were not legally documented.

He also admitted that he directed some to places where they could obtain fraudulent immigration papers.

Immigration agents raided the company's Lindon plant last February, arresting 50 workers.

The company itself is charged with 10 counts of harboring aliens between January 2003 and December 2006 for "commercial advantage," and faces $500,000 in fines, or twice the amount of any pecuniary gains, for each count.

The company manufactures metal highway products, such as guard rails, bridge rails and signs.

Urrutia-Garcia is a naturalized U.S. citizen, according to federal prosecutors.

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