June 21, 2012 - 10:33 AM
MONTREAL - Eleven people have been arrested in the latest dragnet from Quebec's anti-corruption squad.
The people are accused of about $1 million in fraud on public-works projects worth $20 million.
The arrests are being tied to construction projects south of Montreal, in several municipalities near the U.S. border.
About 77 charges have been laid against nine companies for suspected crimes as well as violations of federal competition laws.
The charges include breach of trust, influencing a public official, defrauding the government, producing and using counterfeit documents, accepting a bribe, extortion and conspiracy.
Those arrested today are being questioned and released. They must appear in court on Sept. 7.
The arrests stem from a two-year investigation and are only the latest in a series conducted by the provincial anti-corruption squad. A public inquiry is also underway.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012