Feds Investigate Chipotle Hiring Practices

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. revealed Tuesday that the company is the subject of a federal criminal investigation into its hiring practices. Known for their oversized burritos, has a location in the Village at Waugh Chapel in Gambrills.

"We intend to fully cooperate in the government's investigations," reads a disclosure filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) signed by Chipotle Chief Financial Officer John Hartung. 

Chipotle—which also has locations in Annapolis, Edgewater, Severna Park and Hanover—is being investigated on allegations of hiring undocumented workers, according to a filing with the SEC.

This is not new territory for Chipotle. The company is also under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement office and the SEC over violations of work authorization status requirements and disclosure violations. 

"It appears that the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission are both focused on our disclosures regarding work authorization compliance, both in our SEC filings and in our other communications with investors," Chipotle spokesperson Chris Arnold told The Wall Street Journal.