RI janitorial contractors fired

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The state has fired two janitorial firms whose workers were swept up in an immigration raid on several courthouses.

Gov. Don Carcieri's office said Thursday that it fired Falcon Maintenance Co. and Tri-State Enterprises, which between them had dozens of contracts with the state, including at the main state office building, Department of Motor Vehicles offices and Air National Guard offices.

Carcieri's office said an investigation launched after last week's raids found the companies were not able to show they followed employment laws. The companies have not been charged with wrongdoing.

A lawyer for Tri-State, Thomas DeSimone, did not immediately return a phone message left seeking comment. The phone rang unanswered at a listing for Falcon Maintenance.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-07-24-08 1835EDT