SNC-Lavalin to reimburse Quebec municipalities, agencies for ill-gotten gains
Top executives testified before Charbonneau corruption inquiry company illegally donated to political parties
SNC-Lavalin says it will reimburse Quebec municipalities and agencies an undisclosed amount of money to settle contracts it obtained through fraudulent acts.
The provincial government launched a program last November that gave companies and individuals two years to repay voluntarily funds they received through ill-gotten contracts dating back to 1996.
Top SNC-Lavalin executives testified before the Charbonneau corruption inquiry that the company illegally donated money to provincial and municipal political parties to obtain work contracts.
Following an internal investigation, the Montreal-based firm says it will submit proposals in the coming days for fraudulent contracts relating to work in Montreal, Laval, Quebec City and Saint-Cyprien in the Lower St. Lawrence.
Other municipalities or public bodies that feel wronged can present evidence as to why they should obtain restitution.
In its news release, SNC-Lavalin makes no mention of provincial contracts.
The company's proposals and the response of the municipalities will be evaluated by retired judge François Rolland.
Under the reimbursement program, companies repay 20 per cent of the value of their contracts plus a 10 per cent administrative charge.
SNC-Lavalin says the proposed penalties it is willing to pay will remain confidential, although a final amount recovered by all participants will be disclosed in early 2018.