04/01/2006

Forum

Resort is working with authorities

BY ANDREW M. BATEMAN

Lately, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa has found itself in news stories about illegal immigrants working in northern Michigan. Deputy U.S. Attorney Hagen Frank, based in Grand Rapids, is on record saying that resort officials have "cooperated fully" and the resort is not a target in the investigation.

Here are a few additional facts that have not been fully reported.

The contract workers referred to in the news stories had been working at the resort under contract through Rosenbaum-Cunningham International, Inc. (RCI) for an average of seven years. They were loyal, honest and hard working, epitomizing the work ethic that our industry and country need.

The contract with RCI was inherited from KSL Recreation when the resort was acquired by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in March 2003; we continued an already existing contract.

We always required appropriate documentation for each worker from RCI and the documents supplied to us appeared to be authentic.

We in turn supplied those documents to federal authorities, who noted that they were sufficient and appropriate. Later, we were notified by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that those same documents were proven to be false.

This information came to light during the course of an intensive undercover investigation that has lasted many months.

The resort has cooperated fully with federal, state and local authorities, and is continuing to do so, in their investigation and discovery process.

Further, I would emphasize that the resort has not violated any federal, state or local laws, nor would we. To conclude otherwise from the recent news reports is completely wrong.

About the author
Andrew M. Bateman is executive vice president and general manager of Grand Traverse Resort & Spa and acts as the owners' representative for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.