You Could Have Had Ed Fallon

KIMT did a followup story on the Federal raid for illegals working for the DeCosters, contributors to Patty Judge's campaign:

Earlier this month immigration and customs enforcement officers were in Clarion at several egg production plants.

Inside, they found 36 workers that weren't legally working in Iowa--- And many say it was no surprise to the community.

It's something people say Clarion has gotten used to and in some circles, the immigrants are even embraced.

"Clarion's always been a community that opens new people with welcome arms," Willie Soespe, a Clarion Business Owner said.

Willie's got a tavern near downtown and grew up in Clarion.

He says you can almost feel it in the air when immigration officers are in town.

"They don't do it as often as they probably could. They probably should go in there a little more often- Unfortunately, a lot of times when they're in the area, it spreads like wildfire," he said.

Local law enforcement say federal agents handle this type of crime so local hands are tied for the most part.

"It's an on-going issue with the employees in the state. Not only in Iowa but also the surrounding states. I think there are a lot of undocumented people traveling through the state," Wright County Sheriff Paul Schultz said.

But to some people, DeCoster in town does have its good points.

"There's a lot of bad things that are said but there are some that are good nobody even hears about," Willie said.

He says DeCoster paid for the concrete in the parking lot next to his bar. They also help support the spanish speaking church across the street.

Wow, isn't that great? Jack DeCoster paved the parking lot!

The DeCosters contributed $10,000 to Patty Judge's failed gubernatorial campaign, something Ed Fallon called "influence peddling"

Austin "Jack" DeCoster was the first person branded a "habitual violator" of Iowa's environmental laws.

The DeCosters paid $1.5 million in fines to the EEOC in 2003 to resolve complaints of female sexual harassment and rape by supervisors.

Then there's this:

Austin "Jack" DeCoster, one of Iowa's largest egg producers, pleaded guilty in August 2003 to federal immigration violations and agreed to pay a record $2,125,000 civil fine to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement- a $ 1.25 million civil forfeiture and $ 875,000 in restitution. DeCoster admitted he ignored evidence that some of his workers were not legal, and advised them to stay home when enforcement loomed. The BICE leveled criminal charges against 22 people, including supervisors at DeCoster Farms of Iowa and business partners of DeCoster's.

It's time to throw the book at the DeCosters so hard that they are forced to leave Iowa.

You Democrats who stand behind Chet Culver and Patty Judge really screwed up. You could have had Ed Fallon.

Is the Chet Culver/Patty Judge wing of the Democratic Party that crass? Would they sell out to a candidate who accepted money from an organized crime figure who is a habitual violator of environmental laws, knowingly and constantly employed illegals, and tolerated sexual harassment and rape of females? That's a real "winning" team you've got there.

Jim Ross Nussle may wear a paper bag on his head, but you Culver/Judge supporters have a plastic bag over yours.


Related: DeCosters Busted Again For Employing Illegals