The engineering consulting firm SNC-Lavalin collaborated in the investigation for corruption concerning it and two former directors, revealed the Crown which officially deposited this morning its invitation to negotiate a repair agreement.
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“There was a search and voluntary handing over of documents,” said prosecutor Patrice Peltier-Rivest on Monday at the Montreal courthouse.
Just before, SNC-Lavalin and one of its subsidiaries appeared for a corruption case that allegedly occurred between 1997 and 2004.
Called “Staple 2”, this investigation led to the arrest of two former directors of the firm last week.
Normand Morin and Kamal Francis, are accused of official corruption, fraud, and forgery and conspiracy.
Bribe
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the accused would have bribed the former president of the company Les Ponts Jacques-Cartier and Champlain [PJCCI] when a $ 128 million contract was awarded to repair the bridge linking downtown Montreal to Longueuil.
They allegedly offered $ 2.23 million in bribes and fabricated false commercial agent contracts, thus defrauding the PJCCI company.
The companies SNC-Lavalin and SNC-Lavalin inc are also accused in connection with these charges, given that they are held responsible for the alleged actions of its former directors.
Repair
However, even before the appearance of these companies, the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions gave his approval for the negotiation of a reparation agreement.
This measure allows “in the public interest and in certain circumstances” to stay the proceedings, in exchange for “financial penalties”. Such an agreement allows the organization to continue to bid on calls for tenders both in Canada and abroad.
“This is a new provision in the Criminal Code which allows an alternative to a more traditional sentence, which reduces the effects on employees, retirees and [le personnel de l’entreprise] », Assured Me Peltier-Rivest of the prosecution.
This would be only the second time that this measure has been taken in Canada, added the prosecutor, mentioning that the first case had occurred in Longueuil two years ago.
As recently as last week, SNC-Lavalin said it considered this offer “welcome”, without specifying the amount it would be prepared to pay.
The case will return to court in November.
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