Calgary Restaurant Fraud: Jail Time Slams Dosa Grill Owners

CALGARY — Three owners of Marina Dosa Tandoori Grill have been sentenced to 90-day intermittent jail terms, starting January 30, for defrauding Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) in Calgary. Manikandan Kasinathan, Chandramohan Marjak, and Mary Roche were convicted of demanding bogus $24,000 Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) fees, defrauding Parthiban Ramalingam, Venkatesan Durairaj, and Vijayasankar Krishnan of over $44,000. Justice Sandra Mah of the Calgary Court of Justice ordered full restitution and 18 months of probation for the owners.

The Deeper Context

This case highlights significant issues in business ethics and legal accountability within Calgary's restaurant industry. The exploitation of TFWs by Marina Dosa Tandoori Grill's owners sheds light on broader systemic challenges faced by foreign workers, who are often vulnerable to such scams due to complex immigration processes. The court's decision comes amid increased scrutiny and policy changes in 2024, which raised fines for such offences to $45,000 and extended bans to five years. These measures reflect an ongoing effort to protect workers and ensure ethical business practices. While the court ordered restitution, details on the payment status or support from agencies like the Temporary Foreign Worker Advisory Office (TFWAO) remain unclear, leaving questions about the victims' recovery process.

The Critics & Costs

The sentencing of Marina Dosa Tandoori Grill's owners has sparked discussions on the costs of unethical business conduct. The victims, Parthiban Ramalingam, Venkatesan Durairaj, and Vijayasankar Krishnan, face the financial and emotional toll of being defrauded, with their restitution yet uncertain. Critics argue that such cases damage Calgary's reputation as a fair workplace and could deter skilled foreign workers from seeking opportunities in the city. The local business community may face increased scrutiny and pressure to reform employment practices, ensuring compliance with labour laws to prevent future exploitation.

Looking forward, the impact of this case may prompt further regulatory changes and stricter enforcement of employment standards in Calgary. The business licenses of Marina Dosa Tandoori Grill remain in question, as does the potential for federal penalties under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. As these issues unfold, they could lead to significant shifts in the local economic landscape and employment practices.