Quebec anti-corruption unit denies report that case is being delayed by Crown

The CBC’s French network said three Quebec Liberal fundraisers — William Bartlett, Franco Fava and Charles Rondeau — as well as Marc-Andre Fortier, the former head of a provincial real-estate agency, received a total of $2 million from alleged kickbacks for contracts related to government buildings.

Le Journal reported the anti-corruption unit initially planned to make arrests in the case by the end of April 2016, but that nothing happened.

Moreover, the newspaper said a second series of arrests targeting 11 people was planned for October 2016, and the unit allegedly complained at the time no public prosecutors were available.

Finally, UPAC was supposed to make arrests in the case once again by the beginning of last month, but so far no arrests have been made in the investigation, dubbed “Justesse.”

In response, UPAC head Robert Lafreniere said in a statement Tuesday the file is not in the hands of the Crown, because his investigators are still collecting additional evidence.

“The investigation is still active,” he said, adding the case is complicated and “no arrests have been postponed.”

For its part, the Crown said in a statement “multiple exchanges” have taken place between prosecutors and UPAC investigators regarding the case but that the file remains with police.

“There is presently no investigation file on the (Quebec real-estate agency) that is being studied,” the Crown said. “The investigative steps needed from UPAC must be completed before (the Crown) can start its analysis.”

Premier Philippe Couillard expressed satisfaction with the explanations offered by the Crown and UPAC.

“Their work is not done,” he said. “Let’s allow them to work.”

Parti Quebecois Leader Jean-Francois Lisee said such delays create a “type of Liberal (legal) immunity.”

Lisee didn’t hide his irritation that none of his adversaries are in jail with the provincial election less than four months away.

“The investigations have been going on for years and there isn’t one Liberal who will be behind bars in time for the election,” he said.

Quebecers head to the polls Oct. 1.

Pierre Saint-Arnaud, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Quebec anti-corruption unit denies report that case is being delayed by Crown

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