February 12, 2018

Former construction boss cuts ties with Quebec’s anti-corruption unit

A former construction entrepreneur turned star whistleblower at Quebec’s corruption inquiry announced on Sunday that he’s suspending his collaboration with the province’s anti-corruption unit.

Lino Zambito said he’s stepping back from his work with the unit, known as UPAC, after documents released last week fingered him as a possible suspect in an investigation into leaks to the media.

At a news conference, Zambito emphatically denied being one of those responsible for leaking documents related to a UPAC probe called Machurer, which looked into suspected illegal financing within the provincial Liberal party under former leader Jean Charest.

Documents unsealed on Thursday reveal that the anti-corruption unit has been hunting for two years to find the sources responsible for the leaks.

The documents suggest that the four people suspected to have released the information are Zambito, legislature member Guy Ouellette, former police officer Richard Despaties and officer Stephane Bonhomme.

UPAC arrested Ouellette last October but released him soon after without laying charges.

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