The former president of the Quebec Liberal Party, Robert Benoit, served his party faithfully under the Robert Bourassa, and then Daniel Johnson.

He backed Jean Charest when he became the liberal leader.

But Benoit told audiences at the Charbonneau Commission Thursday that he noticed that under Charest’s rule, things were different.

Charest, who had moved from the federal conservatives to the provincial liberals, brought in money –- lots of money.

He says Charest raised half a million dollars in a single fundraising breakfast when he ran for the leadership.

He raised so much money the liberals didn't know what to do with it, and had to return some to the donors.

Benoit says that at the same time, Charest brought Marc Bibeau a controversial fundraiser, into the fold.

Bibeau essentially told candidates that their job was to raise money, Benoit said.

Liberal party president between 1985 and 1989, Benoit told the commission that in 2003 he chose not to run for re-election because he was required to raise money.

After that, Benoit had a falling out with the Liberal Party, saying that it became a “money-making machine.” In 2010, he called for a public inquiry into the construction industry.

Benoit’s testimony follows that of former deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau, who on Wednesday told the commission that the Liberals never had a policy of handing out contracts to those companies that made donations to the party.

Thursday, Benoit gave Normandeau’s testimony the benefit of the doubt saying, "To what extent are you supposed to know everything that goes on?”

Charbonneau Commission investigator Eric Desaulniers testified after Benoit. He also appeared in front of the commission earlier when it was looking into the McGill University Health Centre superhospital scandal.

Retired MNA Lucie Papineau also testified Thursday, saying she agreed to volunteer her time selling fundraising tickets on behalf of the Parti Quebecois.

On her list were engineering, construction and architectural firms, she said.

In keeping with its examination of how political parties raise money, the commission is expected to call more witnesses in charge of fundraising Friday.