NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) — Market Basket confirmed on Friday that it has suspended employees at its New Bedford location as a result of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

One Market Basket in Massachusetts suspended 47 immigrant employees after conducting an audit of their job applications.

In a statement, Market Basket board of directors said the terminations came as a result of a recent internal investigation that found the two supervisors engaged in “insubordination, making false and derogatory remarks about the company and people associated with it, and inappropriate communications with colleagues.”

Two former top executives at Market Basket and allies of CEO Arthur T. Demoulas spoke out on July 23 about their recent firing.

Two Market Basket executives who were fired Tuesday say the move was part of an effort to silence employees who oppose changes the company's board of directors and some shareholders want to make to the company.

According to the Market Basket Board of Directors, both Schmidt and Gordon were fired for making false and derogatory remarks about the company and people associated with it, and inappropriate communications with colleagues.