In February 2023, multiple individuals reported to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (“DLI”) that their employer, Chando Construction, had failed to pay them wages for snow removal work. DLI gathered information from the workers about their employment. Through these initial reports, DLI identified CHRISTOPHER CHANDONNET ([DOB redacted]) as the owner and operator of Chando Construction LLC, a business registered in Minnesota. Wage Theft Investigation and Charges After obtaining the initial information, DLI referred the matter to the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (“BCA”) to investigate for potential wage theft.
Investigators proceeded to interview employees, including some who held management roles for Chando Construction. The investigators also obtained financial records for Chandonnet and his business. The investigation eventually led to a felony wage theft complaint filed against Chandonnet in Hennepin County. The complaint alleges that Chandonnet committed wage theft by failing to pay at least six workers the wages owed to them. The Court File number for the Hennepin County wage theft case is #27‐CR‐26‐3334. During their interviews, the workers indicated that an individual named Paul Hinz managed many aspects of the snow removal work for Chando Construction.
The employees described performing snow removal work throughout the Twin Cities metro area at locations that often included medical clinics, gyms, and other businesses. The workers stated that Hinz directed the times and locations for the snow removal work they did for Chando Construction. Interview of Paul Hinz Law enforcement proceeded to interview Paul Hinz as part of the investigation. During the interview, Hinz said he met Chandonnet because their wives were friends. Through this relationship, Hinz began working for Chando Construction as a production manager.
Hinz told law enforcement that he did not immediately hold concerns about working for Chando Construction; however, he eventually noticed problems tied to the business’s operations. Hinz described instances when the company credit card was declined when he was attempting to buy supplies and materials for construction projects. Hinz also recalled attempting to make a purchase at a lumberyard when he was informed that the company account was frozen. Hinz confirmed his role supervising the Chando Construction employees who did snow removal at businesses around the metro area.
Hinz explained that Serenity Landscaping had hired Chando Construction as its subcontractor to perform the snow removal work. Hinz also described talking to Chandonnet and an office manager, Jane Goodson, about trying to get employees paid for their snow removal work. Hinz said that Chandonnet refused to pay the workers for all the hours they had worked. Hinz also indicated during the interview that his role with the business included efforts to procure construction jobs for Chando Construction. Hinz said that he worked to obtain roofing, siding, and remodeling/repair projects for both homes and businesses for Chando Construction.
