The trial for Michael Applebaum began Monday with testimony from his former chief of staff, who said it took him several months to determine that the former Montreal mayor was open to corruption.

The first witness called to the stand was Hugo Tremblay, Applebaum's chief of staff for five years, who said that Applebaum taught him about political financing, either through people writing cheques through proxies or donating cash at fundraising events.

"That's the way it works everywhere," said Tremblay, even though those methods of fundraising violate the law.

He said that money raised legitimately would go toward the political party, while funds that were harder to trace would be used for other expenses, such as buying food for volunteers.

According to Tremblay, Applebaum asked two developers for donations as their condominium project was up for approval.

Robert Stein and Anthony Keeler wanted to tear down an old building and replace it with student housing.

Tremblay said that he was told to solicit cash from Stein and Keeler, and was told he would "have to make a political effort."

Tremblay testified that Applebaum said to him, "We gotta make a living" and that was when he realized Applebaum was open to kickbacks.

Applebaum reportedly asked for $100,000 but settled for half that amount -- and he gave about $16,000 to Tremblay.

Charges

Applebaum is charged with 14 counts of conspiracy and corruption.

He is accused of breaking the public trust during his time as a councillor and as the mayor of the CDN-NDG borough, between 2002 and 2012.

The case against Applebaum is built in part on the testimony of a former employee, who said the politician accepted a bribe in connection with a condo development in his borough, and with the development of several projects including the NDG Sports Centre.

In her opening statement, Crown prosecutor Nathalie Klieber said she will prove that Applebaum took money from the developers of two real estate projects, and that witnesses will explain how Applebaum asked for cash -- and received it.

Applebaum attempted twice this year to have the case thrown out, arguing the delays were tarnishing his reputation, but a judge refused his request.

Applebaum agreed to have his trial in French, although two Crown witnesses, Stein and Keeler, will testify in English.

The trial is being heard by a judge without a jury, and is expected to last two weeks.

Applebaum has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Two co-accused

Applebaum was arrested and charged in 2013, as were former city councillor Saulie Zajdel and Jean-Yves Bisson, who was the director of permits.

In 2015 Zajdel pleaded guilty to breach of trust and corruption. He was sentenced to 240 hours of community service, ordered to donate $10,000 to charity, and was on probation for 18 months.

Bisson also pleaded guilty to accepting a bribe, and received a similar sentence.