CARIBOU — State legislators from northern Maine say a judge’s ruling against three Canadian logging companies shows that foreign companies have been working in the state illegally.

Aroostook County Justice Allen Hunter approved a final consent decree and order against the Canadian companies, A.D. Logging Inc., B.J. Jalbert Inc., and S.L. Logging Inc., which list their place of business as Fort Kent. They admitted violating Maine law for failing to show ownership of equipment and were each fined $1,000.

Democratic Sen. Troy Jackson of Allagash says the case shows that Canadian workers are coming over the border to work for a Maine-based company and bringing their own equipment with them. Rep. John Martin of Eagle Lake says foreign companies have been breaking the law at the expense of Maine’s workers and economy.