New Haven Register
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut -- Jose Calhelha may have been misinformed about U.S. immigration law, but he is not a human smuggler, even though he pleaded guilty to bringing undocumented workers into the country to work at his Dunkin’ Donuts stores, his attorneys claim.
The claims, filed in federal court in anticipation of Calhelha’s sentencing Monday, are a last-ditch effort to limit punishment for Calhelha, 47, a Portuguese-born millionaire who lives in Guilford.
But prosecutors remain firm that Calhelha was a slave driver who fattened his bottom line on the backs of illegal workers.