The faults alleged against the UPAC in a devastating judgment that ended the trial of the former mayor of Terrebonne on Monday were committed recently, under the new leadership of the police force.
• Read also: Charges of corruption and breach of trust against the former mayor of Terrebonne fall apart
• Read also: Another aborted trial: Quebec gives UPAC a new chance
In her decision, Judge Nancy McKenna lists the shortcomings of investigators from the Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) and Crown prosecutors justifying her decision to stop the proceedings against the former mayor of Terrebonne Jean-Marc Robitaille and three co-accused.
Photo d’archives
The former mayor of Terrebonne Jean-Marc Robitaille with the former director general of the City and co-accused, Luc Papillon, during a trial break at the Saint-Jérôme courthouse.
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The investigation, then the arrests in this case of corruption and breach of trust took place under the former leadership of UPAC. But, according to the judgment, most of the faults alleged against the unit and the Crown were committed in 2020, or under the new custody of UPAC.
The shortcomings highlighted were aimed at concealing information about a key prosecution witness.
However, the new anti-corruption commissioner, Frédérick Gaudreau, took office in October 2019, pledging to restore the public’s confidence in the organization.
That these shortcomings in the Terrebonne case were committed under the leadership of this new management of UPAC raises important questions, reacted retired judge Nicole Gibeau on Tuesday.
