The defence is continuing its cross-examination of a key Crown witness at the corruption trial of ex-Montreal mayor Michael Applebaum.
They are keying in on Hugo Tremblay’s relationship with Quebec provincial police after he agreed to turn police witness.
READ MORE: Former aide to ex-Montreal mayor Applebaum wore wire to glean confession
The defence is going over a large number of text messages exchanged with investigators as Tremblay wore a wiretap and became an informant in taping conversations with Applebaum in 2013.
Tremblay, on the stand for a third day, testified he struggled mightily with what he was doing and that speaking regularly to an investigator helped him cope.
READ MORE: Former Montreal mayor Michael Applebaum asking court to dismiss corruption charges
Applebaum has pleaded not guilty to all 14 corruption-related charges, including fraud against the government and breach of trust.
They stem from crimes alleged to have occurred between 2007 and 2010 when he was mayor of Montreal’s largest borough.
READ MORE: Corruption trial begins for former mayor Michael Applebaum
The Crown alleges Applebaum, who went on to become interim Montreal mayor in 2012-2013, accepted cash via Tremblay in exchange for favours given to local real-estate developers and engineering firms.