Missouri officials must pay $152,000 to a janitorial company the state blocked from contracts over allegations that the firm employed illegal immigrants.

Two years ago, the Blunt administration canceled contracts with Sam's Janitorial Services and barred the firm from rebidding after about two dozen employees in Jefferson City were detained in an immigration sting.

The company also cleaned buildings in Kansas City and Columbia.

Company owner Kwabena Asamoah-Boadu says the sanctions were unfair because he checked employee documents and did not knowingly hire illegal immigrants.

Cole County Judge Richard Callahan agreed and says the state illegally invalidated the janitorial contracts.

He ordered the payment as damages for breach of contract.