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UPAC arrests one in relation to Turcot interchange contract

UPAC issued a statement that they've arrested one person in connection to the Turcot Interchange contract. Sylvain Trudeau/Global News

MONTREAL – UPAC has arrested one person in relation to the awarding of the Turcot Interchange construction contract.

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UPAC head Robert Lafrenière confirmed the man they arrested is Eric Carbonneau, a project manager at construction company, Pomerleau.

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“We cannot tolerate that the foundations of democracy are being manipulated and that the government is prejudiced by a dishonest person,” he said.

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He faces two charges, including a fraud charge.

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Carbonneau is suspected of accepting kickbacks as part of the Turcot project.

He reportedly tried to sell secrets to SNC-Lavalin.

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“The ploy used by the accused Eric Carbonneau shows a serious lack of ethics, as is his personal interest over the strict rules required in the matter of public offers,” said Lafrenière.

“The accused who probably believed he was above the law is now in custody.”

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The provincial anti-corruption agency announced Tuesday morning that they have been working with the Sûreté du Québec to investigate what they’re calling Projet Mondain.

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“This investigated succeeded in aborting a fraudulent transaction that was going to put in jeopardy the free competition for enterprise bidding for the mega-contract, which consists of rebuilding the Turcot Interchange,” said Lafrenière.

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The project to rebuild the Turcot is a multi-billion-dollar contract.

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Hundreds of millions of dollars have already been spent to patch the existing roads so it will not collapse.

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