The former owners of a Maryland temporary employment agency admitted in federal court yesterday that they turned a blind eye and hired illegal immigrants despite concerns about the workers' status.

Michael Morgan, 41, of Timonium and Robert Lanahan, 43, of Towson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to harbor immigrants in connection with the placement of temporary workers by Jones Industrial Network with client companies in the Baltimore area.

A third defendant, Daniel Jones, 41, of Glencoe-Sparks, pleaded guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor charge of unlawful employment of immigrants and was sentenced to forfeit all of his interest in Jones Industrial Network and another company, MOJO Holdings LLC, which owns the building that houses Jones Industrial Network. Morgan and Lanahan have also agreed to forfeit their interests in the two companies.

On March 29, federal immigration enforcement agents arrested 69 Jones Industrial Network employees who were illegal immigrants at various client companies, including several Baltimore businesses. All had used false documents to obtain employment.

Morgan and Lanahan face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison when they are sentenced at hearings scheduled for early next year.