Ex-mayor Michael Applebaum's lawyer argues 'many grey zones' in corruption case

The fate of Michael Applebaum, the former Montreal mayor who vowed that he never took a penny from anybody, is now in the hands of a Quebec court judge, after the corruption trial wrapped up on Wednesday.

Defence lawyer Pierre Teasdaledeliveredhis closing arguments, suggesting that the prosecution's case relies heavily on interpretationand that itswitnesses aren't reliable.

"There are so many grey zones. There are so many inferences we're asking you to make," Teasdale said.

"We're asking you ... to interpret what the people might have, at times, interpreted. That's extremely dangerous because it's double interpretation."

• THE CROWN'S CASE:Crown argues Montreal ex-mayor was behind strategy of bribes, corruption

Applebaumis accused of asking for cash bribes in exchange for favours such as approved zoning changes and municipal permits during his time as borough mayor ofCte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce between 2006-2012.

Applebaumhas always maintained his innocence.

If found guilty, he could face up to five years imprisonment.

Crown prosecutor Nathalie Klberdelivered her closing arguments on Friday.

Judge Louise Provost is expected to deliver her decision on Jan. 26, 2017.

Casting doubt on key witness

On Wednesday, the defence lawyer honed in on key witness Hugo Tremblay, Applebaum's former right-hand man and chief of staff at the borough.

Tremblay is the only witness who testified about where the cash, which he received from real estate entrepreneurs and engineers, ultimately ended up.

• Defence argues witnesses testified against ex-Montreal mayor to 'save their skin'

"The only witness to testify about that is Tremblay. The only one," Teasdale argued.

He suggested the former chief of staff co-operated with police and blamed everything on Applebaumbecause it allowed him to avoid any criminal charges.

But the prosecution shot back during her rebuttal that nota single witness suggested Tremblay was the important person in thealleged corruption strategy.

• 'Elections aren't cheap': Real estate manager recalls Michael Applebaum's words

Klber reminded the court that real estate entrepreneur Robert Stein described Tremblay as Applebaum's "bag man" a go-between who accepted the cash on behalf of hisboss, to keep the whole arrangement at an arm's distance.

Applebaumfaces 14 charges, includingconspiracy, breach of trust and two forms of corruption: municipal corruption and fraud onthegovernment.

The Crown presented seven days of testimony from five witnesses. The defence did not call any additional witnesses, and Applebaum elected not to testify in his own defence.

• IN DEPTH:Who are key players in corruption trial of Montreal's former mayor?
• FEATURE:Fall from grace: MichaelApplebaum'sill-fated climb to power