My former employer: Danny's Family Car Wash, a longtime "Mecca" for illegal aliens and other criminal activity

I worked for Danny Hendon at Danny's Family Car Wash from 1989-1990, and it was my first introduction to supervisory and management employment. Only intended to be a job to have, while between jobs, it was good experience to get under my belt. It was also the first time I shared a work place with illegal aliens. The car wash, in the infamous Maryvale section of west Phoenix at 43rd Ave. & Indian School Rd., was brand new. I was hired just in time for the grand opening. 

Drugs, prostitution and a multitude of nonsense came through the car wash at 43rd Ave and Indian School Rd. Every time a black was hired, I was told, "Look, there's a monkey. Run him off." After more than two decades, I still remember those exact words. Obviously, Danny's Family didn't like blacks. Employees didn't get lunches or breaks. At the time, there was no shade and out of all summers I picked to have an outdoor job, picked the one with record setting 120+ degree heat. 

During my Danny's tenure, minimum wage was $3.25/hr. New hires were sold a uniform and if they weren't fast or reliable enough, they would be dismissed as soon as they earned enough to pay for the uniform. The final insult was the check stub with no check that showed the deduction for the uniform. 

Federal agents raid 16 Danny's Family Car Wash locations in criminal investigation

"We target employers. Employers that aren't playing by the rules. We don't target the employees. We're targeting the companies that are not playing by the rules, not following the law," said Barbara Gonzalez. Full Article

When I worked there, our drive off guy (Lance) would start the day with no change in his pockets. By lunch time, quarters and dimes were falling out of his bulging pockets. He was stealing money out of customer's cars. This was a relatively common occurrence. The last time I saw that guy, he was in the back of a police car. It seems that little changes at Danny's magnet for crime.

Feds indict Danny's Car Wash managers, corporate entities

Fourteen people, four U.S. citizens and 10 Mexican nationals, were arrested Saturday by Homeland Security agents in raids at Danny's Family Car Wash locations in Phoenix. [Related: Read the indictment handed up Monday (PDF)] Full Article

Drug trafficking was a daily event at the car wash. The car wash maintenance man and the guys that worked in the "tunnel" were drug addicts. Rarely, did a day go by without the "Regal Brothers" showing up to get their Buick Regals washed, while they dispensed their poisons to the workers out back. The first red flag should have been that nobody washes their car everyday. Nonetheless, Danny's Family looked the other way, while this took place. 

Feds: Danny's Family Car Wash helped fake ID's, rehired illegal workers

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the investigation targets the leaders of the two businesses and that multiple people face charges of criminal immigration fraud, identity theft and financial violations. FullArticle

Hiring illegal aliens was nothing new to Danny's Family Car Wash. I saw plenty come and go. This was also my first job where I was forced to deal with language barriers and sneaky little shits mouthing off and conspiring behind my back. For the most part, managing Mexicans at a car was was relatively easy. My job involved lots of "pointing" and saying, "Meda Meda" ("look look"). 

Businessmen against law making it illegal to hire undocumented workers

In 2007 Daniel Henson, who is the owner of Danny's Car Wash, and Mac Magruder, who is the owner of HR Betty, joined forces with Wake Up Arizona. It's a coalition of Arizonans concerned about the consequences of the state's employer sanctions law. Full Article

One day, Danny Hendon walked up to me and said, "I'm paying you to be an asshole." Those were his exact words. How would you react, if your employer said that to you? A couple of months later, I became the ultimate asshole and went to work for a competitor. I also took a supervisor and ticket writer, along with me. How's that for being an asshole?

I knew Danny personally. I have zero respect for Danny and as far as I'm concerned, he belongs in prison. In my 28 years of living in Arizona, I have yet to meet an honest businessman. I don't think they exist.

Danny’s Car Wash raid targets the right people

In 2011, Danny’s fired 942 of its 1,912 employees after being notified by ICE that they had insufficient documentation. Then company managers — some of whom were also here illegally — proceeded to rehire many of the terminated workers, the indictment says, often supplying the stolen identities that would allow the fired employees to clear E-Verify. Full Article

Needless to say, rewarding criminal behavior with "amnesty" will only breed more criminal behavior. Sadly, the author of the above editorial doesn't get it. Perhaps, an illegal alien will steal her identity and will be given the opportunity to write a piece about that experience.

"How about a little compassion for all of us Americans who are the collateral damage of illegal immigration, is that really asking too much from the Arizona Republic?" --Remember 1986