MONTREAL - Former construction magnate Tony Accurso says he gave $250,000 to help Jacques Duchesneau because the ex-Montreal police chief was in debt after a failed bid to become mayor.
Accurso told the Charbonneau Commission today he was approached by a man named Richard who was part of Duchesneau's entourage and who set up a meeting with him.
The ex-construction kingpin said he handed over a cheque for $250,000, but that it was made out to the name of Richard's company.
Accurso says Duchesneau promised to help him and return the favour when he got back on his feet and found employment elsewhere.
Duchesneau campaigned unsuccessfully against Pierre Bourque for the mayor's job in 1998 after four years as police chief.
He went on to become head of an anti-collusion unit within the Transport Department before running a year later in the provincial election for the Coalition for Quebec's Future.
Duchesneau played a big role in forcing the government of former Liberal premier Jean Charest to form the Charbonneau Commission, which is looking into corruption in the construction industry.
He did not run in last April's election.
