Mass. Governor Used Lawn Service that Employed Illegal Immigrants

An aide to Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney says Romney never knew that several of the workers who were taking care of the grounds at his home were illegal immigrants.

Romney is actively considering a run for the Republican presidential nomination, at a time when immigration is a top issue nationally.

The workers were employed by a lawn care company that was hired to take care of the property.

The Boston Globe says it interviewed -- in Spanish -- four current and former employees of the lawn service who had worked on Romney's property. All but one said they were in the U-S illegally.

Romney's communications director says the governor hired a legitimate company, owned by a "decent, hardworking person who is a legal resident."

The workers told the newspaper that the company's owner never asked them to show immigration documents, as required by federal law.

Romney has said employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants should face penalties.