Columbia Farms Added to Federal Indictment of Greenville's Plant Alleged Hiring Violations

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that Columbia Farms, Inc., was named in a 50-count Second Superseding Indictment charging federal violations involving the hiring of illegal aliens in its Greenville, South Carolina, processing plant. The company joins two of its employees, Human Resources Manager Elaine C. Crump and Complex Manager Barry Cronic, who were previously indicted by the federal grand jury for criminal violations related to their respective hiring activities.

The 29 charges naming Columbia Farms allege that through Crump and Cronic, Columbia Farms “did knowingly continue to employ the aliens listed below, in the United States, knowing such aliens had become unauthorized with respect to such employment on the dates set forth below....” The Indictment then lists 29 employees who worked at the facility, despite the alleged knowledge of Crump, Cronic, and Columbia Farms that the 29 were unauthorized by federal law to be employed.

Crump is named in all 50 counts, including 20 felony counts charging her with instructing employees of the plant’s human resources department to falsify employment documents required by federal authorities in the hiring of non-citizens, and one misdemeanor count of knowingly hiring unauthorized aliens. Cronic is named in 30 misdemeanor counts, including one count of knowingly hiring unauthorized aliens. Crump and Cronic face potential prison sentences and fines, while Columbia Farms could be fined if convicted.

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Allstate Looking to Grow Agency Force in South Carolina

(April 3, 2009) -- Downsizing decisions by companies across South Carolina mean opportunities for Allstate Insurance Company's agency growth strategy in the state. Allstate has launched an aggressive recruitment campaign targeting professionals caught in the recent waves of lay offs and pay cuts. The company plans to sign-on at least 20 new agency owners across the Palmetto state, concentrating on inland markets, by the end of 2009.

"We see a significant opportunity in the current economy to attract mid-career, mid-level managers to own and operate their own business and represent Allstate in South Carolina," said Southeast Region Field Vice President Cliff Butler. "We're working with outplacement services and through our own recruiters to find professionals with financial or sales backgrounds."

Allstate says its recruiters are particularly interested in downsized professionals who received a severance package. Part of the reason--candidates need $50,000 in liquid capital to open a new Allstate agency. With some potential candidates hesitating because of the money needed to open an agency, recruiters are focusing on the stability of investing in the Allstate brand.

"These professionals have the resources and the expertise to hit the ground running - starting over as their own boss in control of their own destiny," said South Carolina Territory Sales Leader Jim Uschelbec.

Allstate says its agency expansion plans in South Carolina are part of an overall growth strategy that calls for aggressively growing the provider's auto insurance presence statewide.

Allstate is currently South Carolina’s second largest auto insurer with a 15.9% market share through 2007. The company provides a wide range of products like the conventional home owners, automobile and life insurance to products like boat, motorcycle, renters and umbrella policies.

Interested candidates can apply to become an Allstate agent by logging on to allstate.com or by calling 1-877-711-1006.