The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have arrested and charged two former SNC-Lavalin executives on suspicion of fraud forgery and conspiracy, the national force announced yesterday.
It said the arrest of Normand Morin, a former vice-president of SNC-Lavalin, and Kamal Francis, a former vice-president at SNC-Lavalin International, followed a “lengthy and comprehensive” investigation by the RCMP’s Sensitive and International Investigations section.
The investigation, codenamed Project Agrafe, focused on allegations of criminal wrongdoing involving Quebec-based corporations SNC-Lavalin Inc and SNC-Lavalin International Inc, and related to bribes that were allegedly paid in exchange for obtaining a contract.
The RCMP did not specify what the contract was.
The two men, and the two corporations, have been charged with forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, fraud against the government and conspiracy to commit fraud against the government.
Inspector Denis Beaudoin of the Sensitive and International Investigations section said: “This was a lengthy and highly complex investigation, and I’m proud of the consistent and professional work of our team. As a result of their continued dedication, evidence was identified and gathered over a number of years, which has ultimately resulted in the charges announced today.”
The National Division Sensitive and International Investigations is mandated to investigate criminal activity that poses a threat to Canada’s government institutions, public officials, the integrity of the Crown, or that imperils Canada’s political, economic and social integrity.
Morin and Francis were released from custody and are scheduled to appear in a Montreal court on 27 September, along with representatives for SNC Lavalin Inc and SNC Lavalin International Inc.
Image: ©GCR, illustration by Denis Carrier
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