Ohio yanks contract in ID-for-immigrants case

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio is shutting down a driver licensing office that processed bogus identification cards for illegal immigrants.

Jennifer Clemens, who runs the office on the far east side of Columbus, will lose her contract June 26. In a letter, the Ohio Department of Public Safety says Clemens was negligent in monitoring her employees and enforcing Bureau of Motor Vehicles policies.

In April, a clerk in the office, Michelle Eckerman, was sentenced in Virginia to 30 months’ probation on a guilty plea to conspiracy.

Federal prosecutors said Ohio was chosen for the alleged ID scheme because the BMV offices are franchises given to contractors. The agency is now studying new security measures.

Clemens said Thursday she was still under contract and had no comment.