3 charged with extorting migrant workers in Leamington

The OPP has laid extortion charges after a six-month-long investigation following a tip from a law student into the treatment of temporary foreign workers in Essex County.

Police allege three men were extorting cash from the workers, who worked in Leamington.

A 39-year-old and 33-year-old from Leamington, as well as a 29-year-old from Kingsville, appeared in court for bail hearings on Friday.

They are each charged with three counts of extortion.

"You heard the word exploitation and extortion and I can assure you there's absolutely no such thing taking place," said defence lawyer Anthony Barile. 

"There's no exploitation and we will prove there is no extortion." 

Police alleged three migrant workers from Indonesia were forced to pay between $6,000 and $9,000 to work in a greenhouse in Leamington.

If they had refused to pay -- it's alleged the workers were threatened with being fired and deported.

Police began their investigation following a tip from a Windsor law student

Barile said the accused will fight the charges.