Lawyer Michel Massicotte, who is representing former SNC-Lavalin CEO Pierre Duhaime, speaks to the media after a preliminary hearing at the courthouse in Montreal on Monday, February 11, 2013. Duhaime, who did not attend the hearing, is facing charges of fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud and using forged documents — related to the engineering firm’s contract to design, build and maintain the McGill University Health Centre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
February 11, 2013 - 7:27 AM
MONTREAL - The former chief executive of Canada's biggest engineering firm has been formally charged with fraud.
Pierre Duhaime was not in court this morning and was represented by a lawyer who pleaded not guilty on behalf of the former SNC-Lavalin (TSX:SNC) executive.
Duhaime faces charges of fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud and issuing false documents.
Lawyers set May 23 as the next date in the case.
Duhaime and another former executive face charges stemming from a contract involving the building of the multibillion-dollar McGill University Health Centre.
He was relieved of his duties after an independent review showed he signed off on $56 million in payments to undisclosed agents.
Duhaime was arrested last November.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013