“Four” The Record
WW’s fourth installment on Sen. Gordon Smith’s processing plant.
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Letters to the Editor • Inbox3 comments
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Cover Story • The Crusaders | Eight relentless watchdogs who hound public officials in pursuit of answers.44 comments
February 3rd, 2010
Ask the Editor • What Were We Thinking? | WW Editor Mark Zusman answers your questions about our coverage.2 comments
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[October 15th, 2008]
Smith Frozen Foods’ hiring of illegal immigrants emerged as a major theme in the first debate between U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) and his Democratic challenger, Jeff Merkley.
After a member of the debate panel last week on KGW Channel 8 referenced WW’s three-part investigation of Smith’s employment practices, Smith responded, “All of our workers are documented.”
Meanwhile, WW returned last week to Eastern Washington to speak with another former Smith Frozen Foods worker who got a job at the senator’s factory on the Oregon side of the Columbia with a fake Social Security number.
But in this case, the worker—who asked to be identified only by her last name—offered written evidence (this June 2003 letter WW has redacted) that Smith Frozen Foods would have had reason to believe she was illegal when the plant was under Smith’s direct control. But the senator maintains all his workers are documented and are fired when evidence to the contrary comes up. Yet red flags, like this letter, add to the growing body of evidence that not all the employee documents are valid.
Story continues below
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RECENT COMMENTS ON ““Four” The Record”
So why don't you get a law enforcement group and shut Smith down. Lose another bunch of jobs for Oregon. Employee fraud and it is Smith's fault. I think I am reading Mormon envy. Maybe penis envy....
Beth I'll say it again you are making an ass out of yourself and losing any credibilty you may have had.
The fact that the HR director of the company did not catch or care that this...
Maybe we should write in our vote for Mr. Hernadez for United States Senate. After all, he is responsible for legalizing his wife's access to her hard earned benefits. Prior to Mr. Hernandez action, G...
If no workers comp claim was filed, but it is a bona fide claim that the employer knew about, then maybe the claim could be filed now with retroactive benefits paid.
