Biggest construction contractor in Quebec faces questions about Mafia

Evidence at the Charbonneau Commission resumed this month, with attention focused on contractors, and in particular Tony Accurso, head of a massive construction empire. Accurso’s construction companies did annual business of $1.2 billion at their peak and employed 3,500 people.

The commission in Montreal is looking into allegations of corruption in the awarding of public contracts in Quebec.

The questioning of Accurso, which ended on September 8, focused on whether he was connected to the Mafia. While admitting that members of the Rizzuto family visited his restaurant, he denied he was under their influence or had business dealings with them. After wiretap evidence was presented of him speaking to the late Nick Rizzuto Jr. he said it was being taken out of context.

Accurso also admitted taking union leaders on his yacht, “the Touch.” He also admitted reimbursing employees who donated up to $750,000 to political parties between 1998 and 2009. He was also questioned about his acquisition of a piece of land in Terrebonne in the mid-2000s that he bought from the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, a union investment fund.

Initiated in November 2011, the Charbonneau Inquiry has heard startling evidence of bid-rigging, collusion, plagiarism and bribery to obtain contracts, involving both engineering firms and construction companies.

To read a report in the Montreal Gazette, click here.