PA's Asplundh Tree Expert Co. Recruited, Hired Illegal Aliens: Officials

A Pennsylvania-based landscaping company, described as an industry leader, has been charged for recruiting and employing undocumented aliens, according to authorities. Multiple managers and a vice president in the company organized the initiative.

Asplundh Tree Expert Co., based in Willow Grove in Montgomery County, allegedly accepted false and illegally obtained identifying documents from workers during the hiring process over a period of more than four years, according to he U.S. Attorney General's Office Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The practice carried on from around 2010 through December 2014; the charges were announced Tuesday.

Many of the workers that were hired were being re-hired after Homeland Security investigations determined that they were unauthorized to work in the United States, authorities said.

It's not clear exactly how many undocumented individuals were employed by Asplundh, which was described by authorities as the "industry leader" in tree trimming and brush clearance.

Three Asplundh supervisors, including a vice president and managers, have already entered guilty pleas for felony conspiracy to commit fraud and misuse visas, the US Attorney's Office said.

If Asplundh is convicted of the charges announced on Tuesday, the company could be placed under the supervision of a court for up to five years. It also faces fines of $3,000 for each undocumented individual it employed.

Patch file photo