Businessman accused of exploiting foreign employees

A 56-year-old Dartmouth businessman faces a slew of immigration fraud charges for allegedly exploiting foreign workers after an investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency.

The agency alleges Hector Mantolino, owner of Mantolino Property Services Ltd., created false businesses and fraudulently submitted documents to Service Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada and to the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration.

He faces 56 charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

CBSA suspects 28 foreign workers working in the Halifax region were involved.

In a news release the agency said Mantolino told the workers to lie about their wages if they wanted to stay in Canada. Some were paid as low as $3.13 per hour.

Mantolino was arrested on April 10.