MONTREAL—Frank Zampino pleaded memory issues on Tuesday at the Charbonneau Commission as the former chairman of the city's powerful executive committee was cornered by lawyers at Quebec’s anti-corruption inquiry.

In his previous three days of testimony in front of Justice France Charbonneau, Zampino testified he had never heard of a system of collusion in Montreal.

However, on Tuesday morning evidence was presented that Zampino was warned about the widespread kickback scheme as far back as 2006.

In response, Zampino said he simply forgot about the warning.

According to the commission, an internal audit report prepared in 2006 by the city’s comptroller warned of collusion. That report was turned over to the city manager before he in turn presented the report to Zampino.

When questioned on whether he acted on the report or kicked it up to the mayor, Zampino was defensive. The former chair argued that it wasn’t his job to warn the mayor, that responsibility fell on the city manager. Zampino also said that he didn’t believe the report constituted a red flag.

The commissioners didn’t take kindly to the response.

“You Mr. Zampino were the right arm of the mayor? Then you must have been advised of potential irregularities that exist in the mayor’s office?” asked Charbonneau.

“When we have a report, if the report is ordered by the executive committee, it is mandatory that it be submitted to the committee. If the report is an internal report ordered by a city official it is dealt with internally,” said Zampino.

The former lieutenant to Gerald Tremblay also admitted on Tuesday that he has been lifelong friends with Tony Accurso, a big name in construction who is facing fraud charges.

Zampino admitted vacationing on Accurso’s pricey yacht on more than one occasion, but denied any potential conflict of interest.

The revelation shocked the commission, as Accurso’s construction empire had performed a large amount of work for the city during Zampino’s long tenure.

Zampino also admitted to a long friendship with Rosaire Sauriol, a former executive at engineering giant Dessau who admitted to his role in the collusion system for seven years.

When asked if Zampino felt betrayed by Sauriol’s claim that Zampino presided over a city with a system of collusion, the former chair nodded, but added he was still friends with the engineer.

Tremblay up next

Zampino’s testimony is nearly finished, and the commission has confirmed that former mayor Gerald Tremblay will be next on the stand, possibly as early as Wednesday.

Sources tell CTV that Tremblay, unlike Zampino, is fully cooperating with the commission.