It was the value of the market, ” says Frank Zampino

Photo Chantal Poirier
Frank Zampino

Accused

Michael Nguyen

Wednesday, 30 August, 2017 22:54

UPDATE
Wednesday, 30 August, 2017 22:54

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Montreal has sold “fair price” of the land to house the project in the Faubourg Reluctantly, has hammered on Wednesday, the ex-number 2 of the City at his trial for corruption.

“The sale price was based on the value of the market “, was repeated several times Frank Zampino.

For the second consecutive day, the accused 57-year-old defended himself to have committed fraud, a conspiracy, or even a breach of trust, as alleged by the Crown. Because for him, the City is not output unsuccessful in selling for $ 4.4 million a plot of land that was valued at $31 million.

Contamination

For the continuation, the former chairman of the executive committee of the City has been at the heart of a scheme that allowed Construction Frank Catania to acquire this land for a ridiculously low price, in 2007.

However, according to Zampino, it should be considered that the pitches had big problems with contamination, and that it is the company which has paid the costs of reclamation. It is for this reason that the sale price by the Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM) was lower than the valuation of the land.

Questioned by her lawyer, Isabel Schurman, Zampino was then extensively explained the process which led to the sale of the land. And just like the day before, he denied that he had benefited in any way whatsoever the company of Paolo Catania.

“It was a large-scale project, the City had never had to manage a folder of this magnitude “, he added.

The project Reluctantly, valued at$ 300 Million, included the construction of 1800 housing units.

Ploy

In addition Zampino, Paolo Catania, and four other men are accused in particular of fraud, breach of trust and conspiracy. This is Martin D’aoust, André Fortin, Pascal, Patrice, and Pasquale Fedele.

They are accused of having put in place a scheme to encourage Construction Frank Catania during the bidding process.

Last may, the ex-mayor Gérald Tremblay had stated that ” Mr. Zampino had a very good reputation. He had the skill, the experience and the descent, it was a right arm exceptional. “

The trial, before the judge Yves Poulin, continues Thursday, at the palais de justice of Montreal.