Anti-corruption unit makes arrest in Mascouche
Businessman Christian Blanchet faces string of charges including breach of trust and conspiracy
Quebec's anti-corruption squad UPAC struck again this morning, arresting another man in the ongoing investigation into alleged shady dealings in Mascouche, north of Montreal.
UPAC confirms businessman Christian Blanchet was picked up this morning and is expected to face a string of charges including breach of trust, conspiracy, fraud against the city of Mascouche, and inciting another person to commit a crime.
Blanchet owns CJRB Inc, a construction company with dealings in Terrebonne and Mascouche that specializes in aqueducts and excavation.
His name — and that of his company — have come up at the Charbonneau Commission.
In 2012, the commission heard that one of the contracts CJRB had received in an unnamed city north of Montreal was under investigation because the lowest bidder was disqualified.
Today's arrest is the latest in UPAC's Project Gravier.
The probe is centred on an alleged network of collusion for municipal contracts in Mascouche.
The city's then-mayor Richard Marcotte and 14 others, including former construction magnate Tony Accurso, were arrested two years ago.
Blanchet will be released today with a promise to appear at the Joliette courthouse on May 28.