CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that a California general manager pleaded guilty in federal court, June 18, to engaging in a practice of hiring undocumented immigrants without authorization to work.
John Washburn, 57, of El Cajon, is general manager at San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings.
As part of the plea deal, Washburn admitted knowing at least 10 workers were undocumented and that three lived in a company warehouse storing Navy submarine parts.
The charges follow a March search warrant executed by federal agents at the company’s warehouses.
Washburn sentenced to one year probation
U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara L. Major immediately sentenced Washburn to one year probation and 50 hours of community service.
According to the plea agreement, Washburn admitted discussing employees with “bad paperwork” or lacking valid work authorization with other managers at San Diego Powder & Protective Coating.
In 2024, the defendant discussed assigning employees with “good paperwork” to the military base because those employees would be subjected to additional screening prior to entering restricted areas.
Homeland Security Investigations San Diego is investigating these cases with assistance from other law enforcement agencies.
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