Canadian immigration officer arrested for taking bribes in Toronto

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Immigration and Passport Section has arrested a 53-year-old employee of Citizenship and Immigration Canada in connection with a complaint that originated from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

On December 15th, 2010 the investigators executed a search warrant at the residence in Toronto of George GONSALVES BARRIERO in connection with this investigation. The Citizenship and Immigration Canada employee who worked at the office in Etobicoke, Ontario was arrested and is now facing three counts of breach of trust contrary to Section 122 of the Criminal Code.

The investigators are alleging that George GONSALVES BARRIERO who is an employee of CIC approached applicants offering to approve their Permanent Resident applications in exchange for money. The RCMP and Citizenship and Immigration Canada are working together to combat fraud and maintain the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.

“CIC takes all allegations of employee misconduct very seriously and have initiated a full internal investigation,” said Lucille LeBlanc, Regional Director General, CIC Ontario Region. “We have been fully cooperating with the RCMP and have taken the necessary actions to safeguard the integrity of our operations.”

A bail hearing will be held on December 16, 2010 at the Ontario Court of Justice, 2201 Finch Avenue West, Toronto.