MONTRÉAL, Friday, April 18, 2008 - Today, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested Benoit Corbeil, former Director General of the Quebec wing of the Liberal Party of Canada. Benoit Corbeil will face charges in connection with various criminal offences committed against the Liberal Party of Canada and the Government of Canada. He is scheduled to appear today at the Montréal Court House.
Benoit Corbeil will face charges including fraud, exercise of influence and conspiracy to defraud. These charges have been laid in the wake of the far-reaching investigation of irregularities in the Government of Canada's Sponsorship program.
The investigation conducted by Montréal RCMP Commercial Crime Section investigators reveals that the alleged offences were committed between 1997 and 2000, while Mr. Corbeil was employed by the Liberal Party of Canada's Quebec wing.
In January 2006, the RCMP obtained information alleging that Benoit Corbeil received a large amount of money from a company located Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu in exchange for favours with respect to the purchase of a piece of land owned by the Government of Canada. Benoit Corbeil, who was then employed by the Liberal Party of Canada's Quebec wing, allegedly received this large amount of money from the late Réal Ouimet, then owner of a quarry named Carrière Bernier, by pretending to have influence with the government, thus committing an indictable offence under section 121 of the Criminal Code.
It is also alleged that while serving as General Director of the Quebec wing of the Liberal Party of Canada, Benoit Corbeil conspired to defraud his party of a sum exceeding $100,000 by authorizing payment of false invoices. These crimes were allegedly committed between 1999 and 2000 and are indictable offences under section 465 and 380 of the Criminal Code.
The RCMP is still actively investigating irregularities that allegedly took place in the management of the Government of Canada's Sponsorship Program. All information likely to assist us with our investigation is being looked into. Additional charges could be late in the future.
In cooperation with all levels of government, the RCMP investigates corruption and fraud cases in which the government of Canada is victimized. Through investigations such as this one, the RCMP works to protect Canada's financial integrity and to ensure that Canadians can maintain confidence in their economy, their institutions and their governments.
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For Information:
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Communications Office
514-939-8308
