Tony Accurso bid dismissed by Supreme Court

Canada's top court has refused to hear arguments from former Quebec construction magnateTony Accurso, who was hoping to avoid testifying before the province's corruption inquiry.

• Tony Accurso loses Quebec Court of Appeal bid to avoid testifying at CharbonneauCommission

Accursohas been battling the courts for the past year, to try to fight a subpoena to appear before theCharbonneauCommission.

The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed his latest request on Friday morning, with costs.

Thedecision means the former construction magnate will have to answer the Quebec corruption inquiry's questions.

Accurso is scheduled to appear before Justice France Charbonneauon Sept. 2.

Testimony could prejudice separate trial

Accurso had argued that if he is forced to testify before the CharbonneauCommission, he risksincriminating himself and prejudicing a separate criminal trial.

The former construction mogulfaces criminal charges in several municipal corruption cases. He's also charged with alleged tax fraud.

• Key players in the Quebec corruption inquiry

In a previous ruling,a Quebec Superior Court justice explained thereare already guarantees in place to avoid that from happening.

Commissioners have promised not to question Accurso about his pending criminal proceedings.

The commission is mandated with investigating alleged corruption in the Quebec construction industry.