Former Liberal MNA Tony Tomassi lobbied government colleagues on behalf of Carboneutre, a company led by such well-known underworld figures as Raynald Desjardins and Domencio Arcuri in 2009, the Charbonneau commission learned Thursday.
A lawyer for a competing company called Horizon tipped off government officials of the misdeeds of the company and François Crête, former Chief of Staff of then-provincial Environment Minister Line Beauchamp then warned colleagues of he situation.
Crête even confronted then-Families Minister Tomassi of the presence of shady characters in the company.
“Tomassi reacted like a kid with his hand in a cookie jar,” Crête said.
Emails were presented to the commission demonstrating that Tomassi was making a significant effort to speed up government approvals for Carboneutre, a company that was not even located in his riding.
Carboneutre was founded by engineer Benedict Ringuette and entrepreneur Yves Thériault but suffered several setbacks, first in obtaining Environment Ministry certificates and then in a dispute with a competitor.
The debt-riddled company was rescued and renamed by Domenico Arcuri in February 2008.
The company also sought funding from the Solidarity Fund QFL (Fonds de solidarite FTQ) in vain.
Ringuette confirmed that he met with FTQ President Michel Arsenault, who also served as Chairman of the Board of the investment fund in hopes of scoring a $5 million loan.
Ringuette, on the advice of Arcuri, met with Tomassi in 2008, prior to Tomassi being named to the cabinet. They met once at Tomassi’s office and once at a golf fundraiser.
In 2009 Ringuette started another company and spent less time at Carboneutre, citing litigation difficulties and his relationship with Arcuri and Desjardins.
Ringuette finally managed to get out for good in August 2012 but it cost him $400,000 from his retirement savings.
The commission hearings will return on October 28.
