Allegations that immigration lawyer Paul Hesse had been profiting from misleading advice to newcomers has led Pitblado Law firm to remove him as a partner as of June 7.
Hesse allegedly suggested to his clients that investing in Canadian business would help speed up their citizenship status, directing the money to businesses involving his former romantic partner.
One of the accountants at the firm was the first to notice, flagging Hesse’s transactions for managing partner Benjamin Hecht to review. After reviewing the transactions, he removed Hesse from his position and reported him to the Law Society of Manitoba.
Hecht also began contacting those affected by Hesse to help them get legal representation from outside Pitblado Law firm and try to track the paper trail to identify where their money went.