LAS VEGAS A McDonald's franchisee on Wednesday was fined $1 million after pleading guilty in federal court here to charges of supplying fake names and Social Security numbers to illegal immigrant workers at its 11 restaurants.
Reno, Nev.-based Mack Associates was ordered to pay $300,000 immediately and placed on one year of probation in a plea agreement that was said to be the first immigration-related conviction of a major restaurant chain franchisee following a recent government crackdown.
Raids on Mack's Reno McDonald's last year snared 58 illicit workers. Company owner Luther Mark reportedly wasn't charged, but director of operations Joe Gillespie and former vice president Jimmy Mack pleaded guilty to the felony of inducing an immigrant to reside in the United States illegally. They are to be sentenced later, and each faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.