Wait there's some more !
Construction firm was also involved contributing regularly to Liberal Party coffers. Mr. Zambito took part in fundraisers for Ms. Normandeau at a time when she was municipal affairs minister and Mr. Zambito was a major builder bidding on public-works contracts. For one Liberal Party fundraiser that he organized, he’d invited his contacts in engineering and construction firms and set the price for two attendees at $10,000; however, he said, because the legal contribution limit is $3,000, guests were told they would have to write four cheques for $2,500 each, which could be signed by friends, family or employees.
He also said he was approached by a Liberal organizer and fundraiser for former Liberal labor minister David Whissell; the man came to Mr. Zambito’s office to seek a donation of $50,000 to the Liberal Party to help solve a problem for the contractor.
Ouch !
His largesse to Ms. Normandeau, who was also deputy premier in the Charest government, didn’t stop at flowers. Mr. Zambito also sent nine tickets to her office to attend a Céline Dion concert in his private corporate box at Montreal’s Bell Centre, he told the commission. The evening of the concert, Ms. Normandeau showed up with her bodyguard and a member of her family; she was joined by her chief-of-staff and other political staffers in the Liberal government.
At one point, the gathered guests heard a knock on the door of the corporate suite. Two high-profile politicians appeared: Quebec education minister Michelle Courchesne and Gilles Vaillancourt, the long-time mayor of Laval, whose city includes Ms. Courchesne’s riding. Last week, Mr. Vaillancourt’s home, and Laval City Hall, were raided by Quebec’s anti-corruption squad.
OMG ! Say it isn't so ?
Hardcore federalists involved in a corruption scheme ?
To go see Celine Dion ?
I just can't believe it !
Probably were eating poutine !
