Trump’s Commerce pick admits to unknowingly hiring undocumented worker

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Commerce secretary on Wednesday admitted to unknowingly employing a possible undocumented worker in his Florida home.

Wilbur Ross told the Senate Commerce Committee during his confirmation hearing that one of roughly 12 workers he employed in his home was unable produce proof of legal status when he checked recently.

Ross said he immediately fired the employee, who had a Social Security card and driver’s license when the worker was hired. Ross said he paid all necessary taxes on the employee.

“When I was getting ready for this hearing, I wanted to recheck all of our present and former employees,” Ross told the panel, insisting he was deceived

{mosads}Senators appeared to accept Ross’s explanation. Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) brought up the hiring of the worker, which Ross first revealed a written questionnaire for the committee.

Ross said in response to questions by Thune and Sen. Bill Nelson (Fla.), the committee’s ranking Democrat, that he we was duped by the employee and did not willingly hire an undocumented worker.

No other senators asked about the worker.

Hiring undocumented workers has sunk other Cabinet nominations before.

Zoe Baird, President Bill Clinton’s first choice for attorney general, dropped out of consideration when it was revealed that she hired undocumented immigrants and did not pay taxes on them.