❓WHAT HAPPENED: The co-founder of Glass House Farms—a marijuana operation raided by federal immigration agents who uncovered child labor and detained 361 illegal immigrant workers, including 14 minors—has been revealed to be a donor to Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA).
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Glass House Farms co-founder Graham Farra, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Gov. Gavin Newsom, and protestors.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The raid occurred last Thursday at Glass House Farms in Ventura County, California.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors.” – Glass House Brands statement via X.
🎯IMPACT: The raid sparked violent clashes between protestors and agents, raised questions about labor practices, and brought scrutiny to political donations by Glass House Farms’ co-founder.
The co-founder of Glass House Farms, Graham Farra, has donated substantial sums to California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and other Democrats, according to campaign finance records. Farra’s company, Glass House Farms, was raided by federal agents last Thursday, resulting in the detention of 361 illegal immigrants, including 14 minors. The raid turned violent, with one worker falling to his death from a greenhouse.
Glass House Brands, the parent company of Glass House Farms, issued a statement on X asserting, “Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors.” Farra himself posted on X, stating, “We are focused on taking care of our people and our plants,” though the post was later deleted.
Farra has a history of political contributions to Democrat causes, including a $10,000 donation to Newsom in 2018 and contributions to the Santa Barbara County Democratic Central Committee’s federal PAC and Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA).
Newsom’s only comment on the campaign donor revelation was to deflect in a post on X, stating, “Sure is rich for Fox News and the Trump Admin to point to campaign donations to Democrats, when in fact, the CEO is a Trump supporter who donated to my recall and has given to more Republicans.”
The company, co-founded by Farra and Kyle Kazan, has built its reputation on claims of sustainable and ethical cannabis farming. Kazan, a former police officer and teacher, reportedly supports President Donald J. Trump. Glass House Brands has not commented on the recent allegations.
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the conditions at the farm as resembling “exploitation, forced child labor, and potentially human trafficking or smuggling while facing assault and even gunfire.” Among those detained was Mexican national Juan Duarte-Velasquez, who had prior convictions for rape and DUI.
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