Commission cracks down on illegal immigrants

During its annual budget and planning meetings June 15-16 in Kansas City, the commission added explicit language that is intended to prevent the use of illegal workers on MHDC-financed development projects.

The commission now requires that the language be placed in all bond and tax-credit financing documents. The new language states an agency will comply with relevant Missouri statutes; all federal, state and local labor laws, including prevailing wage requirements; and the MHDC Workforce Eligibility Policy, adopted in March.

The commission also requires that the owner of a project ensure compliance of the general contractor, who must ensure compliance of all subcontractors.

The policy change came about after state Treasurer Sarah Steelman’s office began investigating the O’Fallon Lakes apartment project near St. Louis.

Five workers on their way to the project March 10 were arrested as illegal immigrants. The project, whose key investor is Charter MAC, had been approved for $1.4 million in federal and state tax credits.

Charter MAC terminated its contractor agreement June 22 for the development and has transferred construction responsibilities to Gundaker Commercial Group in St. Louis.

“Developers will not be allowed to rip off the taxpayers of Missouri who help finance these projects,” Steelman said in a news release. “I will not forget, and I will not allow developers to forget, that we work for the people of Missouri.”[[In-content Ad]]