Charges laid against former Public Works employee

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Allyson Beauregard

MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC – Nearly a year after Quebec’s l’Unité permanente anticorruption (UPAC) began investigating the actions of Frank Fiorillo, the former head of Public Works at the municipality, two charges have been laid: breach of trust and impersonating a peace officer.

Allyson Beauregard

MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC – Nearly a year after Quebec’s l’Unité permanente anticorruption (UPAC) began investigating the actions of Frank Fiorillo, the former head of Public Works at the municipality, two charges have been laid: breach of trust and impersonating a peace officer.
Fiorillo was hired through an agency and employed by the municipality from August to November 2016.
According to Dominic Labrie, municipal Communica-tions Officer, Fiorillo was fired before the UPAC investigation due to “some red flags” raised, such as altercations with citizens; Fiorillo has said he resigned. Local excavation business owner JF Aumont later brought a recording of a conversation he had with Fiorillo to the municipality’s attention; in it Fiorillo alleged he was sent to the municipality by UPAC. The recording was turned over to UPAC’s investigation. Fiorillo is also accused of telling Aumont to alter his price list submitted to the municipality – sometimes for higher amounts – and to drop a case against the municipality in exchange for contracts.  
Although there were allegations that Fiorillo acted on Mayor Roger Larose’s direction, Labrie said those claims are unfounded and that the municipality is glad the UPAC investigation is complete, “given the circumstances”. “Several gratuitous accusations were made by Mr. Aumont and Mr. Fiorillo against the administration and some members of the council. The police looked at their claims and, at the end of the day, only Mr. Fiorillo was charged,” he said. 
Fiorillo is expected to appear in court in November.