1 charge dropped against Tony Accurso in Mascouche fraud trial

TonyAccurso, on trial at the Joliettecourthouse, now faces a single chargeof breach of trust, after the second charge was dropped without explanation onWednesday.

Accurso, the former construction magnateaccused ofprice-fixing and riggingcontracts in the city of Mascouche, was also facing a charge of influencing a municipal official using illegal means. That charge has now been dropped.

The judge in the case,Quebec Superior Court Justice James Brunton, advised the jury not to drawany conclusionsfrom the fact that the charge was being dropped.

The trial began Monday, Jan. 15 and is expected to last four to six weeks.

Last year, Accurso tried to have the charges stayed, arguing his case was takingtoo long to get to trial, but his request was turned down.