June 20, 2012 - 4:56 PM
MONTREAL - A star witness at Quebec's corruption inquiry is having his sensational accusations challenged by several lawyers.
Former anti-collusion investigator Jacques Duchesneau has made headlines by claiming that provincial political parties are awash in dirty money — with up to 70 per cent of their cash raised illegally.
But today Duchesneau, and two ex-colleagues also on the witness stand, are being grilled over the evidence to back up their bold assertions.
The questioning became so fierce at one point that the presiding judge cautioned other lawyers to avoid aggressive cross-examinations.
Duchesneau even fielded tough questions from a lawyer for the Parti Quebecois, which has been accusing the governing Liberals of corruption for months.
The party wanted to know why Duchesneau had taken it upon himself to continue his investigation into political corruption after he had been relieved of his duties as the leader of an anti-collusion unit.
Premier Jean Charest also reacted today to the Duchesneau testimony, saying he's confident that his Liberal party is clean in its fundraising.
However, Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume suggests he's not surprised by the testimony.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012