HONOLULU — A company serving prepared food at an Ala Moana Center department store has pleaded guilty to employing aliens not authorized to work in the United States.

Prosecutors say Tenryoan Inc. received the maximum fine of $9,000 from Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren.

They say the company that serves food at Shirokiya paid the aliens from a separate account instead of its payroll account used for lawful employees.

Tenryoan was also accused of failing to pay the aliens such traditional benefits as sick leave, medical insurance and vacation leave.