A Toronto talent agent was charged after a Romanian stripper was forced to work as a prostitute in a network of city strip bars. He said the woman was threatened with deportation or injury to her family in Romania if she didn't do as she was told. Police said the woman worked in several Toronto strip clubs from March 1996 to October '97.
Some bars are open venues for prostitution.
Immigration spokesman Kevin Sack said his officers go to strip clubs regularly to check on the status of foreign dancers. He noted recent changes to the Immigration Act require foreign dancers to prove they're strippers before they're granted work permits. Police have warned that foreign hookers are being sent to work here under the guise of strippers. He is to return to court July 26.