'No paper trail' in Michael Applebaum's corruption trial means focus is on key witness's testimony

Without any documents connecting Michael Applebaum to an alleged strategy of municipal corruption, the testimony and credibility of a single key witness is important in the case against the former mayor of Montreal.

Applebaumis accused ofbreach of trust, conspiracy and two forms of corruption: municipal corruption and fraud on the government.

• CBC's full coverage of the Michael Applebaum trial

All the charges date back tothe period in which Applebaum was borough mayor ofCte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce.Applebaumhas always maintained his innocence.

Quebec Court Judge Louise Provost heard seven days of testimony at the Montreal courthouse, and she will listen to the closing arguments of both parties before she decides Applebaum's fate.

The former mayor, whose tenure was cut short when he was arrested, faces a maximum of five years imprisonment if he is found guilty.

• IN DEPTH|Michael Applebaum's ill-fated climb to power

The charges against Applebaum are related to two key building projects in Montreal: a proposed real estate development on deTroieAvenue and amunicipal contract for the management and maintenance of the Notre-Dame-de-GrceSports Centre.

WhileApplebaumis accused ofasking for cash kickbacks in exchange for bureaucratic favours, the witnesses who admitted in court tohanding over bribes said the cashwas all ferried through HugoTremblay,Applebaum'sright-hand man.

Tremblayis the only witness who testified that it was Applebaum who instructed him how to solicit the kickbacks, how much money to ask forand how to divide the cash.

"I did what Michael Applebaum said to do," he told the court.

• Ex-mayor Michael Applebaum will not testify at his corruption trial

Another witness, real estate manager Robert Stein, told the court that Applebaum told him "elections aren't cheap" and encouraged him to pay cash for tickets to a political fundraiser.

• Cash-stuffed envelopes traded for NDG Sports Centre contract, engineer testifies

The court also heard from a mortgage consultant, Anthony Keeler, who testifiedthat while he didn't see Applebaum accepting any cash, the one-time borough mayorhelped their project by persuadinga zoning committee to approve it.

'No paper trail'

Asked by CBC News to comment on the case, Montrealcriminaldefence attorney Eric Sutton saidTremblay'scredibility is key.

During his testimony, Tremblay told the court that Applebaumtaught him to arrange illegal fundraising and solicit cash donations from real estate promoters.

He testified that it was common for Applebaum to say things such as,"Wegottamake a living."

• 'I realized Michael Applebaum was open to corruption,' former aide testifies

The court heard how Tremblaywould receive tens of thousands of dollars in cash from real estate promoters and engineers,keeping some for himself and giving the rest to Applebaum.

Sutton said that without physical proof of those transactions, Tremblay's testimony is critical.

"There's no documentary evidence.There's no paper trail. There's no little notes on napkins with amounts and numbers in his handwriting," Sutton told CBC.

Could cocaine use impact credibility?

In his experience, Sutton said when witnesses admit to things such asdrug use, it could influence their credibility.

• Corruption 'created my lifestyle,' key witness in Michael Applebaum's trial testifies

Under the questioning of thedefence lawyer, Tremblay admitted to using cocaine in the past, but he added that his use was recreational likely two or three times a year.

"I probably tried it the first time at 16 or 17 years oldand maybe did it a few times in my 20s," he testified.

"It's not my lifestyle that created corruption, it's corruption that created my lifestyle."

Tremblaynever charged

Sutton also said when witnesses make deals with police, itcould impact their credibility.

Tremblay, who admitted to asking for and accepting bribes, testified that police told him that his statements in this case would not be used as proof against him.

"By making deals with the police one might think that they will tailor their story to the police and prosecution to tell them what they want to hear," Sutton said.

Closing arguments to come

Since the defence is not calling any witnesses in this case, and Applebaum will not be testifying, all that's left before the judge considers her verdict are closing arguments from the two lawyers.

Crown prosecutor NathalieKleber will make her final presentation on Friday, followed by Pierre Teasdale on Monday.