MONTREAL, April 20 (UPI) -- Quebec's anti-corruption chief says construction-related corruption and fraud is widespread in all levels of government in the province.
Robert Lafreniere told provincial legislators in Quebec City Thursday there are 16 corruption and fraud investigations under way that include town, provincial and Canadian federal projects, the Globe and Mail reported.
He said while most involve construction contracts there are also cases being scrutinized that involve social programs and energy projects.
Earlier this week, a police sweep resulted in the arrests of 15 people, including construction mogul Antonio Accurso and a town mayor on bribery, conspiracy, corruption and fraud charges, the report said.
The presence of the Mafia, biker gangs and other organized crime rings in the province has been documented for decades.
By way of example, several restaurant and bar owners in Montreal told UPI in 2009 they didn't accept debit cards for payment. Instead, they said, certain groups that place retail cash dispensing debit machines for fees as high as $3 per transaction would be more lucrative for all involved.
