MONTREAL -- The corruption inquiry is taking a long, hard look at how the FTQ Solidarity Fund tossed out one of its directors when he refused to bend the rules for some very influential businessmen.
Former FTQ Solidarity Fund director Richard Marion testified at the Charbonneau Commission Wednesday morning that he was hired tin 1995 to run the fund's real estate arm SOLIM.
He was put in charge of that division when it was doing poorly, and managed to pump up profits, a feat that eventually had named the chief of the overall FTQ Solidarity Fund.
According to Marion, however, he was pressured to invest in highly questionable projects where FTQ insiders had personal ties, including the Rousseau Marina Bar near Repentigny.
“I heard there were Hells Angels involved, and I didn't think it made good business sense anyway,” said Marion, adding that his then-assistant Guy Gionest told him that FTQ Solidarity Fund board member Jean Lavallée wasn't taking no for an answer.
He was also told he could say no to a Laval restaurant owned by Tony Accurso.
"When I was called to go to Laval, it wasn't a good day for me," said Marion. "I knew I was going to be asked for certain things."
"Normally it would be to meet someone, to discuss a project already underway, so I didn't like them interfering in my projects that were already going well."
Marion said Accurso often pressured him for partnerships in projects he did not feel comfortable with.
“He said to me, ‘You didn't hear me, I want everything!’” he said. Marion said he believes his refusal to bend the rules cost him his job, because of Lavallée 's power over the fund and the SOLIM.
“Lavallée yelled at me, using foul language for at least 10 minutes,” he said
Marion's firing took place in front of Accurso, he said.
“Accurso was uncomfortable, and kept looking down,” said Marion.
The solidarity fund was eventually forced to pay Marion more than $1.3 million in severance pay.
