Dec. 13, 2010:  US Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II of the District of Main, announced that George Valvanis pled guilty to one count of engaging in a pattern or practice of recruiting or hiring illegal aliens unauthorized to work in the United States, and to one count of using a false attestation in an immigration document. The case was investigated by ICE and  Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

According to court records, Valvanis managed several Dunkin’ Donuts stores located in the Portland area. Between 2001 and 2009, he knowingly employed 18 illegal aliens to work in his stores. Valvanis faces a maximum prison term of five years on the false attestation charge and six months on the alien hiring charge.

Dunkin’ Donuts Manager, in conspiracy, knew that the employees were unauthorized to work in the U.S, and falsely attested on the I-9 that they had examined the documents presented, and the documents appeared to be genuine and that the employees were eligible to work in the U.S

“ICE HSI will hold employers who knowingly hire an illegal workforce accountable for their actions,” said Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Boston. Foucart oversees ICE HSI throughout New England. “Our office will continue to investigate and find employers who flout our laws and hire illegal labor, in order to reduce the demand for illegal employment and protect employment opportunities for the nation’s lawful workforce. ICE HSI will use enforcement tools, civil and criminal, when appropriate to bring about compliance.”