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

A former political aide to Michael Applebaumwho is a key witness in the ex-Montreal mayor's corruption trialadmits he spent illegally obtained cash on drugs and extravagant vacations.

On Thursday, HugoTremblaywas cross-examined by defence lawyer PierreTeasdalefor a third consecutive day.

Tremblayworked asApplebaum'spolitical aide and later chief of staff between 2006 and 2012, whenApplebaumwas the borough mayor of Montreal's Cte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce neighbourhood.

Applebaumison trial forconspiracy, breach of trust and two forms of corruption: municipal corruption and fraud on the government. All the charges date back to his time as borough mayor.

Applebaumhas always maintained his innocence.

'Single at 30, with a stackof cash'

The defence lawyer attempted to shake Tremblay's credibility in court on Thursday by highlighting his lifestyle choices and his use of drugs.

Tremblayadmitted to trying marijuana and cocaine in the past, but saidhis use of cocaine 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,"Tremblaysaid.

He added that he used to live a quiet live with his partner, but when they separated, things changed.

"Did I go out more often when I became single at 30 with a stack of cash? Yes."

It's not my lifestyle that created corruption, it's corruption that created my lifestyle.- Michael Applebaum's former aide Hugo Tremblay

Earlier this week, the trial heard that whenTremblaywas working forApplebaumand earning thousands of dollars in cash illegally, he'd spend it on extravagant vacations to places like Argentina and Costa Rica.

ButTremblaysaid following Applebaum's arrest, heleft his job at the boroughand stopped travelling because "there was no more money."

• Day 1: 'I realized MichaelApplebaumwas open to corruption,' former aide testifies

Willing to take polygraph test

The former political aide,who turned on Michael Applebaum to help investigators, told the Quebec court he'd be happy to take a polygraph test to prove he's telling the truth about how his former boss orchestrated a strategy of corruption.

• Day 3: Michael Applebaum's former top aide says informing on boss took emotional toll

On Thursday, Teasdale challenged him on his version of events, pointing out how it's changed over the years, since his formal statement to police in the spring of 2013.

"I offer again to go outside the room with a journalist and take a polygraph," Tremblay answered.

• Day 2: 'In order to charge you, [they] got to see the money,' ex-mayor Michael Applebaum says in recording

Earlier this week, Tremblay told the court that it was Applebaum who taught him to ask real estate promoters and engineering firms for cash in exchange for approving their projects.

The first time Tremblay participatedin one of these deals, he testified, wasin 2007 whenhe met real estate promoterAnthony Keelerin a caf to negotiate a sum.

Tremblay said heexplained to Keelerthere was some opposition to his plans for a real estate project in the borough, but in exchange for$35,000, Applebaum's administration would support it.

However, the defence questioned Tremblay'stestimony that the aidewas simply doing what his boss asked.

Teasdale pointed out that Tremblay decided "unilaterally," without consulting Applebaum, to drop the asking price from $50,000 to $35,000.

"I lowered the amount with the hope that I would have a better chance of obtaining a yes and pleasing my boss," Tremblay answered.

When he was asked why he was so willing to do something illegal, the key witness answered:"I didn't think I could say no."

"I was 27 or 28 years old. I was trying to build a career."

• Fall from grace: Michael Applebaum's ill-fated climb to power