Commission Charbonneau – Guess who’s coming to testify?

The public hearings of the Commission on the granting and management of public contracts in the construction industry resume Monday. Voluntary controls or under duress, the list is long of those who hold a piece of the large puzzle; The duty offers in a non-exhaustive, not not to raise doubts, but to point in the direction of a few rich people of information to unravel the skein which is plunged Quebec for three years. First part: the Union world.

The sacrosanct Union solidarity is being evil to the FTQ-Construction since November 2008. Elections to the leadership of the largest Union of the construction industry then led to a war of clans. In the background of a tense political climate are democratic rules likely bent with pressure and threats to the key and links with organized crime.

What are the interests at stake? Some experts decode “the historic dream” of the FTQ-Construction to have the monopoly of the building. But behind the scenes, it is question of the FTQ solidarity fund. This institution is salivating over a player of labour and its periphery. This is where influence and each of the other networks take any value.

There is also a month, Le Devoir revealed the Charbonneau commission investigation on alleged bribery scheme facilitating the access to leaders and the capital investment of the solidarity fund.

However, this is only one of the elements of the cocktail that has exploded in recent years. Feelings ran high in the wake of allegations of corruption, the dismissals and resignations-shocks, searches, and police investigations. It is therefore very likely that FTQ-Construction, the solidarity fund and its subsidiaries will be at the centre of the public questions the commission Charbonneau. In a universe where the watchword is silence, the exercise does not looks easy absent documentary evidence and records including from operation care (criminal activity in the construction industry) and the Colosseum anti-mafia operation.

A few major players

Michel Arsenault, president of the FTQ and the solidarity fund. His friendship with Tony Accurso, one of the largest employers of the accused of fraud the construction environment, raises eyebrows. Mr. Arsenault has stayed at the luxurious yacht Touch.

Changed his fierce opponent of a public inquiry on the construction, Mr. Arsenault was evidence in 2010 under pressure from its members. He has always denied that there is “poor practices in the FTQ.

Henri Massé, predecessor of Michel Arsenault. He was called to the rescue to calm the internal grumbling and “cement the FTQ-Construction Unit.

Jean Lavallee and Jocelyn Dupuis, respectively President of the FTQ-Construction for 33 years and CEO for 11 years. This longevity has become ambiguous while the link of friendship of the two men turned into war of power: each had his internal team and external support, especially among entrepreneurs.

Lavallée clan is associated with Tony Accurso. Mr. Lavallee is also linked to Denis Vincent, a la Mauricie businessman considered close to the outlaw. Clan Dupuis has Joe Borsellino Garnier building. In addition, Mr Dupuis would be a good knowledge of Raynald Desjardins, who is accused of the premeditated murder of Salvatore Montagna, groomed successor of Nicolo Rizzuto at the head of the Italian mafia.

Domenico Arcuri, businessman identified in the police operation Colosseum as a member of the mafia. He approached the solidarity fund to provide financial support for its decontamination business carbon neutral. In this case, the rumor of an offer of $300,000 made to Michel Arsenault to ensure that the record would receive special attention is circulating since 2009. At the same time, Mr. Arcuri participated in a benefit luncheon for the liberal party of Quebec.

Tony Accurso, directing mind direct or indirect a sprawling Empire including most often cited businesses are Simard-Beaudry, Louisbourg, Gastier, and Ecolosol. Two of his businesses have been recognized guilty of tax evasion in 2010 for having evaded more than 4 million federal tax. Tony Accurso is now charged with fraud in the folder of Mascouche.

Joe Borsellino, owner of Construction Garnier. He is a friend of the former liberal Minister Tony Tomassi, accused of fraud. Mr. Borsellino chairs the Garnier Kids Foundation, which has received the support of the former Minister of public safety Jacques Dupuis. In 2008, Mr. Borsellino invited at its expense Robert Marcil, Director of the work to the city of Montreal, as well as Jocelyn Dupuis in a trip to Italy. In July 2009, he was reportedly beaten severely without complaint to the police.

Guy Gionet, former CEO. of SOLIM, the real estate arm of the solidarity fund. Party in 2009 following the purchase by the SOLIM of a bar with dancers together with a sympathizer of the Hells Angels, Ronald Beaulieu.

Ken Pereira, the man by whom the extravagances of Jocelyn Dupuis scandal broke. Armed with the invoices and received for a period of six months, Mr Pereira first attempted to solve the problem in the FTQ on the recommendation of Michel Arsenault. Seeing no way, Ken Pereira revealed the pot to the investigation of Radio-Canada show roses. Jocelyn Dupuis is charged with fraud against the FTQ-Construction.

Eddy Brandone, former Secretary-Treasurer of the FTQ-Construction. He was in a position of authority to accept or deny the spending of Jocelyn Dupuis.

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To read tomorrow: the second part of our list

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