A Korean supermarket in Kearny Mesa and its former general manager pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court Monday to misdemeanor charges of knowingly hiring undocumented immigrants who were not authorized to work in the United States.
The employment practice at the Zion Market in San Diego went back to as early as 2003, according to the plea agreement, and lasted 16 years.
After accepting the guilty plea Monday, U.S. Magistrate Michael Berg ordered the business to pay a $500,000 fine plus a special assessment penalty of more than $25,000. The former manager, Timothy Moon, was ordered to pay a fine and penalty totaling $10,000.