Quebec whistle blower pleads guilty

Lino Zambito, the former vice president of Quebec, Canada-based contractor Infrabec has pleaded guilty to six charges of corruption.

He pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit breach of trust, municipal corruption, fraud over CA$ 5,000 (US$ 4,100), conspiracy to commit fraud over CA$ 5,000 (US$ 4,100), intimidation and fraud.

Mr Zambito had previously testified to Quebec’s Charbonneau Inquiry about collusion among contractors and links between the construction industry and organised crime. He also said contractors paid kickbacks to public officials.

Mr Zambito had previously been arrested along with his father, Giuseppe, in 2011 as part of Opération Marteau (Operation Hammer), a police operation targeting corruption in the construction industry.

Lino Zambito is due to be sentenced in September, following the trial of his co-defendants. The charges he has pled guilty to could lead to time in jail, but a lenient sentence is expected following his cooperation with the Charbonneau Inquiry.