This artist drawing shows undercover FBI agent Joseph Pistone, at federal court in Manhattan, New York City on Tuesday, August 3, 1982, during the trial of five men accused of violating racketeering laws. Most people know Joseph Pistone by the name of his alter-ego, "Donnie Brasco." A corruption probe in Quebec is scheduled to resume today after a three-month summer break. There are reports that the real-life "Donnie Brasco" could be one of the first witnesses to take the stand.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP - WNBC-TV - Ida Libby Dengrove
MONTREAL - Quebec's construction inquiry has resumed after a three-month summer break and there are hints that it is about to hear testimony about political corruption.
France Charbonneau, the head of the commission, said Monday that most of its work this fall will focus on the infiltration of organized crime into the construction industry.
"We will hear from experts who will describe how organized crime infiltrates the legal activities of the construction sector and puts them in danger," she said in an opening statement.
"We will also focus on violence and extortion which is present on certain construction worksites."
Charbonneau said witnesses will testify about collusion and corruption related to the awarding and management of public contracts. In particular, the witnesses will discuss contracts awarded in Montreal and Laval for work like sidewalks, sewers and asphalt.
They will also testify about the financing of municipal and political parties. Elected officials from Montreal and neighbouring Laval will be named by witnesses, she said.
Charbonneau noted that because the commission's mandate covers the entire province, inquiries are underway in a number of areas outside Montreal.
Charbonneau said more than 1,600 tips have been received so far from different parts of the province.
She said investigations are taking place on Quebec's North Shore, the Abitibi region, Trois-Rivieres, the Eastern Townships and Quebec City.
The public inquiry began hearing witnesses in early June for three weeks - but some of the most important testimony is expected this fall.
Commission lawyer Sonia Lebel said it will call 50 witnesses who will testify about the impact of organized crime within the industry.
"Our investigation to date has allowed us to identify two groups linked to the construction industry - the Mafia and criminal biker gangs," Lebel said.
Among the witnesses scheduled is an officer with Quebec's provincial police who specializes in biker gangs, and a police officer from Ontario who will discuss the Mafia in that province. Lebel says an RCMP analyst who specializes in the Mafia in Quebec will also testify.
"Organized crime is not attacking the system. Rather, they are using the system and taking advantage of its weaknesses," Lebel said.
Others are also expected to testify either behind closed doors or with publication bans on their identities, for security purposes.
"These witnesses will seriously set the table for the rest of the commission's work," Lebel said.
Charbonneau asked media to stop releasing names of witnesses in advance.
There were reports late last week that the FBI officer who famously passed himself off as "Donnie Brasco" would testify, something inquiry officials won't confirm or deny. Joseph Pistone is the man who decades ago infiltrated the New York Mafia in an operation immortalized in a 1997 Hollywood film.
Pistone's name was not mentioned Monday on the witness list.
Outgoing premier Jean Charest launched the inquiry after intense public pressure.
© The Canadian Press, 2012
17 Sep, 2012
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Source: http://www.globalnews.ca/Canada/quebec+probe+to+hear+testimony+about+political+corruption/6442716354/story.html
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