A city of Montreal foreman was arrested Wednesday in connection with Operation Hammer, the Surete du Quebec's probe into corruption in that industry.
The 48-year-old man was arrested in the St. Leonard borough and will likely face breach of trust charges, said SQ officers.
The foreman is accused of providing inside information, as well as accepting a bribe of several thousand dollars, to a private contractor to help attain a lawn services contract.
"He gave information that led a private company to get a contract in the borough," said SQ officer Gregory Gomez del Prado, who wouldn't provide more specific details about the investigation.
Two search warrants were carried out, including the head office of the borough and at a municipal garage.
Investigators will meet with other important witnesses and more charges may follow.
Officials surprised by arrest
City officials seemed caught off guard by the arrest.
"The only thing we know this morning is this person is a foreman in the borough of St Leonard. He's in charge of cleaning the parks," said city spokesperson Jean-Yves Hinse.
This is the eighth arrest in Operation Hammer since the investigation began in February 2010, including the three arrests last week of former Outremont mayor Stephane Harbour and of his former top aides.
One of the top cops raises eyebrows
The arrest comes on the same day Quebec's Public Security Minister Jacques Dupuis is asking questions about one of the top investigators into the Operation Hammer probe, Mario Gisondi, the Montreal police department's third in command.
Gisondi is also president of Masy Construction, which builds luxury homes on Montreal's south shore.
While it's not illegal for a police officer to hold a second job, Dupuis said he is troubled by Gisondi's moonlighting.
"I'm not suggesting anything inappropriate on the part of the police officer, but I think there should be questions asked," he said.
