Florida Plant Workers Back in Court on Workers’ Comp Fraud Charges

Workers from a Naples, Fla., vegetable and fruit packing plant are headed back to court as they face charges related to alleged workers’ comp fraud.

The case stems from the raid of a packing plant where more than 100 workers were detained, most of them presumed to be in the country illegally. The workers were expected to enter pleas Monday.

Immigrant advocates have been critical of the raid by the state’s Division of Insurance Fraud. They say the state should focus on employers, when it comes to the unauthorized hiring of immigrants. Authorities say many of the workers at the plant may have been using fake or stolen Social Security numbers.

Using a fake ID to gain employment or to submit a benefit claim is a third-degree felony, under Florida law.