These charges stem from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) into allegations the company knowingly hired illegal alien workers

In September 2007, ICE agents executed federal search warrants at the 11 McDonald's restaurants owned by Mack Associates in the Reno area and at the franchisee's corporate office. 

During the operation, agents encountered 58 illegal aliens who were working illegally at the McDonald's restaurants.  The illegal alien workers were arrested on administrative immigration violations and processed for removal. 

Approximately 30 of those workers have been returned to their native countries.  The remaining illegal workers were provided with documentation allowing them to remain in the United States pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

The government and Mack Associates agreed that the corporation will pay a $1 million fine -- $500,000 for each count, the maximum allowed - and be placed on probation during the period that the fine is outstanding. 

The court accepted this agreement and sentenced Mack Associates to one year of probation and ordered the corporation to pay the agreed upon $1 million fine, with $300,000 payable immediately and the balance to be paid within nine months.

The plea agreement details how Mack Associates' management employed individuals they knew were in the country illegally, including two restaurant managers, by furnishing them with names and Social Security numbers belonging to other individuals.

In addition, Jimmy Moore, 47, the franchisee's former vice-president, pleaded guilty to one felony count of inducing an illegal alien to remain in the United States.  At sentencing, Moore faces a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

A third defendant in the case, Anntoinette Richmond, 44, the corporation's controller, has been charged with one misdemeanor count of continuing employment of an unauthorized alien.