I would like to relate a story I was told today, about an HVAC contactor I often work with. I have not seen the paperwork, so the tale may be a little garbled, but here it is, and I'd like to hear your take:

One man shop hired helper fresh from prison, on probation; the man had been serving time for drug charges.
Helper prooved to be excellent worker, quite adept.
Helper gets busted while in company truck. Drugs in system, drugs on truck.
Employer nailed with $15,000 penalty. Part of this, if not all, was because employer had felon working on Federal job. Guy in company truck, on company time, employer held responsible. Helper returned to prison. Employer also threatened with seizure of truck and tools.

Does this story sound right? For the sake of discussion, let's stipulate that employer is squeaky-clean, and would never tolerate such activities were he to suspect them. Drugs involved: Meth.