Triumph Report Released

A clean bill of health for Triumph Foods following a recent city audit. St. Joseph City Manager Vince Capell and staff have wrapped up an investigation into business practices at Triumph Foods. The audit began in May and even included a visit to the plant. According to a report released this week, everything checks out. The report details everything from hiring practices to employee pay and privacy. It`s required by companies that receive Tax Increment Financing or TIF money. Under such an agreement, Triumph agrees to comply with a number of requirements. That means everything from how many workers the company employs to how much money those workers make. The development agreement also requires triumph to hire legal workers and be able to verify workers` status. The report concludes Triumph is in "full compliance with or has exceeded compliance with" the above mentioned requirements. Capell is satisfied overall with the audit, but says some questions remain about the documentation of "new" workers at the plant. "The company has some privacy concerns that are legitimate and the city was not provided with those documents but we are trying to work out some things," said Capell. According to the report, Triumph does not have to provide documents to the city that might prove or disprove a worker`s legal status. It only requires the plant certifies that it has not knowingly employed illegal workers and that it comply with federal law. Capell will continue to monitor triumph`s hiring practices through future audits. He says the company has been more than cooperative.