It's Time to Make the Donuts
More of these slime need to go to jail and these stories need more attention from the media. The message needs to go out that employers ARE being prosecuted. Even though there hasn't been a final ruling in ths case, it sounds like he got off too easy.
NEW HAVEN — A Guilford millionaire accused of one of the largest immigrant smuggling cases in state history reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors Friday, a deal that calls for him to pay $1 million to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Jose Calhelha, 47, also could spend up to 16 months in federal prison. Prosecutors said Calhelha, a native of Portugal, lured at least six of his countrymen to the United States with the promise of legal citizenship and high wages managing his Dunkin’ Donuts stores, but instead treated them little better than slave labor.
As many as 150 illegal immigrants of all nationalities were working at Calhelha’s 10 stores from 2003 to 2005, according to the original indictment. Jose Calhelha sold his 10 Dunkin Donuts’ franchises in Branford, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, East Haven and Derby for $11 million in 2005.
As part of the plea deal, Jose Calhelha will have to pay ICE $1 million and up to $100,000 in any wage restitution to the six Portuguese men he admitted to hiring. Diane Calhelha will have to pay a $3,000 fine for hiring illegal workers.
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