Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

EX-SNC senior executive Ben Aissa extradited to Canada to face fraud charges

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Oct, 2014 11:45 AM

    MONTREAL - A former SNC-Lavalin senior executive accused of fraud in a superhospital project arrived in Montreal on Wednesday after his extradition from Switzerland.

    The head of Quebec's anti-corruption unit said Riadh Ben Aissa, SNC's former head of construction, was detained by provincial police.

    His return came two weeks after Swiss authorities announced they had accepted a deal reached Aug. 4 and sentenced him to the 29 months he'd served in jail and ordered him to repay millions of dollars to the company.

    In Canada, authorities laid 16 fraud-related charges against Ben Aissa in February 2013 in connection with the McGill University Health Centre, one of Canada's largest infrastructure projects.

    He and several other people, including former SNC chief executive Pierre Duhaime, allegedly committed fraud of $22.5 million in exchange for the company landing the $1.3-billion contract.

    Arthur Porter, the former head of the MUHC, remains in a Panama jail fighting extradition to Canada on accusations he was involved in the alleged fraud.

    In Switzerland, Ben Aissa was accused of fraud, corruption and money laundering.

    The charges stemmed from SNC-Lavalin's business in Libya. Ben Aissa acknowledged in court that he bribed Saadi Gadhafi, son of Libya's late dictator, Moammar Gadhafi, so SNC could win contracts. Ben Aissa also admitted to pocketing commissions.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Conservatives proposing plan to allow use of journalistic work in political ads

    Conservatives proposing plan to allow use of journalistic work in political ads
    OTTAWA - The Conservative cabinet is considering a plan that would allow political parties to use the work of journalists in its political advertising without permission or compensation.

    Conservatives proposing plan to allow use of journalistic work in political ads

    Former Grit foreign affairs minister upset by Liberal opposition to Iraq mission

    Former Grit foreign affairs minister upset by Liberal opposition to Iraq mission
    OTTAWA - Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy says he's perplexed and disappointed that federal Liberals have effectively turned their backs on the responsibility-to-protect doctrine championed by a previous Grit government.

    Former Grit foreign affairs minister upset by Liberal opposition to Iraq mission

    Agriculture minister expects U.S. appeal in upcoming ruling on meat labelling

    Agriculture minister expects U.S. appeal in upcoming ruling on meat labelling
    CALGARY - Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says the next ruling in a long, drawn-out dispute over meat-labelling requirements in the United States is only a couple of weeks away.

    Agriculture minister expects U.S. appeal in upcoming ruling on meat labelling

    Canadian Tire puts digital tech, store upgrades high on its 3-yr plan

    Canadian Tire puts digital tech, store upgrades high on its 3-yr plan
    TORONTO - Canadian Tire Corp. (TSX:CTC.A) plans to invest an average of $575 million annually over the next three years on business improvements, with money going to new digital technology as well as expansions and upgrades to its store network.

    Canadian Tire puts digital tech, store upgrades high on its 3-yr plan

    Pot should be legalized, regulated and sold like alcohol, says addiction centre

    Pot should be legalized, regulated and sold like alcohol, says addiction centre
    TORONTO - Canada's largest mental health and addiction treatment and research centre is calling for the legalization of marijuana, with strict controls that would govern who could buy weed, from where, and in what quantity.

    Pot should be legalized, regulated and sold like alcohol, says addiction centre

    National Farmers Union to speak against omnibus agriculture bill in Ottawa

    National Farmers Union to speak against omnibus agriculture bill in Ottawa
    SASKATOON - The National Farmers Union says a new omnibus agricultural bill should be broken up into manageable parts.

    National Farmers Union to speak against omnibus agriculture bill in Ottawa