Wal-Mart Notified of Grand Jury Probe
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has received a target letter from the U.S. Attorney's Office informing it of alleged violations of the federal immigration laws, reports the Associated Press.
On Oct. 23, federal agents arrested about 250 allegedly illegal workers in a 21-state sweep of Wal-Mart stores. Federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania are handling the case.
Wal-Mart spokeswoman Mona Williams said company executives are not the subject of the inquiry. "Wal-Mart was not surprised by this formal notification since it is in keeping with comments made by federal officials after the raids," she said.
Williams said Wal-Mart received the letter last Friday, and the grand jury will look at whether the company "violated federal immigration laws in connection with the use of third-party floor cleaning contractors," who were employed by companies Wal-Mart hired for the work. Ten of those arrested were Wal-Mart employees hired as the company continued a move to bring its floor cleaning in house.
Wal-Mart expects the grand jury to begin its hearing in mid-December. "This notification gives us time to provide the U.S. Attorney's Office information we feel supports our position," said Williams.
On Oct. 23, federal agents arrested about 250 allegedly illegal workers in a 21-state sweep of Wal-Mart stores. Federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania are handling the case.
Wal-Mart spokeswoman Mona Williams said company executives are not the subject of the inquiry. "Wal-Mart was not surprised by this formal notification since it is in keeping with comments made by federal officials after the raids," she said.
Williams said Wal-Mart received the letter last Friday, and the grand jury will look at whether the company "violated federal immigration laws in connection with the use of third-party floor cleaning contractors," who were employed by companies Wal-Mart hired for the work. Ten of those arrested were Wal-Mart employees hired as the company continued a move to bring its floor cleaning in house.
Wal-Mart expects the grand jury to begin its hearing in mid-December. "This notification gives us time to provide the U.S. Attorney's Office information we feel supports our position," said Williams.