NOTTS companies have been warned they could be fined thousands of pounds if they employ illegal workers.
A Post investigation has revealed that companies in the area have been fined more than £250,000 in the past three years for employing foreign workers who didn't have the right to work in this country.
The UK Border Agency has doled out the punishments to 29 companies in Notts and eastern Derbyshire.
Many of the firms on the list were independent restaurants and hand car washes, but in one case international firm Domino's Pizza was caught out.
The figures, supplied to the Post under the Freedom of Information Act, show that firms in Notts were fined £217,500 in 2010-12 for using illegal migrant workers. A further £45,000 in fines were handed out to companies in Long Eaton, Heanor and Alfreton.
The company that received the largest amount in fines was the Chutney restaurant in Maid Marian Way, which was ordered to pay £25,000.
The Domino's outlet caught out by a UK Border Agency check was in Commercial Road, Bulwell. It was fined £5,000 following the incident in 2011.
A Domino's spokesman said: "Our Bulwell store is run by an experienced and competent franchisee, who carried out all the required checks on the worker concerned. We are satisfied that he took all reasonable steps and adhered to the correct procedure.
"It just goes to show that even the most experienced operator can fall victim to those who are determined to breach the system."
Nejla Celik of the New Carlton Road Fish Bar, in Carlton, which was fined £5,000, said: "The fine was for my Turkish fiance. He wasn't working here, but the authorities thought he was and fined us anyway."
A UK Border Agency spokesperson said: "Every year we impose penalties on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out proper checks on staff.
"If you do not carry out these checks and are found employing an illegal worker, we will take tough action against you. You will be fined up to £10,000 for each illegal worker, or face up to two years in prison."
