'In order to charge you, [they] got to see the money,' ex-mayor Michael Applebaum says in recording
Michael Applebaum has always maintained his innocence
In the weeks leading up to the arrest of Montreal mayor Michael Applebaum, the man who was once his right-hand man helped police listen in on their hushed conversations about the province's crackdown on corruption, a Quebec court learned.
Hugo Tremblayworked as Applebaum'spolitical aideand later chief of staff between 2006 and 2012, when Applebaum was the borough mayor of Montreal'sCte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grceneighbourhood.
On Monday, Judge Louise Prevost heard testimony from Tremblay, who said it was Applebaum who taught him how to solicit cash and arrange illegal fundraising from real estate promoters.
Tremblay outlined how he would meetreal estate promoters in cafs, where they would hand overplastic bags filled with video game cases stuffed withcash,in exchange for bureaucratic favours.
He's the Crown's first witness, and Tuesday is his second day of testifying against his former boss.
Applebaumis charged with conspiracy, breach of trust and two forms of corruption: municipal corruption and fraud on the government.
Applebaumhas always maintained his innocence.
Day 1: 'I realized MichaelApplebaumwas open to corruption,' former aide testifies
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Tremblay told the court how he received a phone call from anti-corruption investigators soonafter Applebaum was elected by council to take over as Montreal mayor followingGrald Tremblay's resignation.
After some initial resistance, the former aide said he eventually agreed to help them by wearing a wire.
On Tuesday, the court heard three different audio recordings from May and June 2013, in the weeks leading up to Applebaum's arrest on June 17.
In the recordings the men speak at times in hushed tones, even whispers.
"He's protecting himself. He's cautious. He's distrustful," Tremblay told the court.
He said that before he and Applebaumhad these conversations, they would both turn off their cellphones.
'They have to have the money'
Applebaum does not admit to wrongdoing in any of the audio played in court, but there's a contrast between his manner of speaking compared to the public version of the mayor Montrealersknew.
In November 2012, Applebaumstood at city hall and swore to Montrealers that hewould"be your eyes and ears and that I will get back what has been stolen from you."
On Tuesday, the corruption trial heard that afew months later, on May 3, 2013, he was recorded whispering with Tremblay about corruption allegations.
Tremblay testified that he was wearing a wire during the conversation, which he said happened in Applebaum's basement.
He told the court Applebaum acted strangely, pattinghis shoulders and backas if to check for a microphone.
In the recording, Tremblay explainsto Applebaum that he was interrogated by police, and that he's worried.
Applebaum reassures him and says:"They can come up all kinds of lies but in the end they have to have the money.
"In order to charge you, [they] got to see the money," he says.
'What did you do?'
Later in June seven days before Applebaum's arrest Tremblay spoke with his former boss again, this time over the phone.
He told the court he was calling from a Montreal police station, but he told Applebaum that he was in Quebec City.
In the recording, Tremblay tells Applebaumthat he'd just received a call from Dessau executive Patrice Laporte, who'd told him he was going to co-operate with police.
Applebaumtells Tremblay "I don't understand but listen, if you can come see me, we can talk."
Tremblay continues, explaining thathe can't act like nothing has happened.
Applebaumanswers, "Hugo, Hugo, Hugo ... what did you do?"
When Tremblay responds that Laporte is the one who paid him cash for the NDG Sports Centre contract, Applebaumdoesn't seem to understand.
"If you did something that was illegal, you have to take responsibility. But what have you done? What happened?" he says on the recording.
Defence cross-examines Tremblay
Defence lawyer Pierre Teasdale began his cross-examination of Tremblay on Tuesday.
He spent the afternoon grilling the Crown's witness about his close relationship with police investigator Luc Lamy.
Tremblay acknowledged it was "a good relationship."He said they'd started communicating in March 2013, when he agreed to collaborate with police. He said the last time they spoke was likely June or July of this year.
Tremblay explained it was a difficult period for him when he agreed to turn on his former boss and help police. He said he felt comfortable speaking to Lamy.
Among the examplesTeasdalecited in court, there was a text message wishing Tremblay a happy birthday, and a Christmas present for his daughter in 2013 atoy plastic doll.
The cross-examination is expected to continue Wednesday morning.
Applebaumhas requested to have a trial before a judge alone, rather than a judge and jury. The trial is expected to last at least two weeks.
The following is the audio from a June 10, 2013 phone call between Applebaum and Tremblay that took place over wiretapped phone from a Montreal police station.
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