PAROLE FOR APPLEBAUM
Board notes he feels regret
Former Montreal mayor Michael Applebaum has been granted parole on the sentence he received two months ago for having accepted bribes while he served as a borough mayor.
A summary of the decision taken on Tuesday by the Commission des libérations conditionelles (the provincial parole board) reveals the former interim mayor of the city, and the former mayor of the Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Damede-Grâce borough, now fully admits his crimes. The summary also mentions that the lengthy trial Applebaum underwent left him in debt with his lawyer.
“You have explained that you take responsibility for your crimes in the sense that you accepted donations in cash during campaign fundraisers,” the author of the summary wrote after Applebaum’s parole hearing. “You specify that you did not (personally) profit from it and that it was your political party that received (the money). Also, you are able to recognize that it was illegal, no matter who benefited.
“Following the verdict and conviction, you say you have accepted the fact that you acted illegally. You express regrets notably in connection with the perception the public has of politicians in general, and of you in particular. You should have respected your oath as mayor.”
The admission represents an about-face for Applebaum, who went through a lengthy trial and did not present a defence. Another section of the summary notes Applebaum blames only himself, and has “identified the consequences” his crimes had on society.
In January, Applebaum was convicted on eight charges, including conspiracy to commit fraud against the government and breach of trust. Evidence presented during his trial revealed he accepted more than $55,000 in bribes related to Project Troie — a plan to build student residences near Université de Montréal at Troie and Decelles Aves., just north of Queen Mary Rd., that required a zoning change — and a contract to maintain an aquatics centre in N.D.G. He was arrested with Saulie Zajdel, a city councillor, and JeanYves Bisson, the borough’s former inspections director. In 2015, Zajdel pleaded guilty to breach of trust by receiving between $10,000 and $15,000 for helping the Project Troie developers. Bisson pleaded guilty to committing a fraud on a government body. The borough council approved the demolition of a building in 2007 and changed its zoning in 2011. The sentences Zajdel and Bisson received did not involve jail time.
Quebec Court Judge Louise Provost called Applebaum’s crimes “a reprehensible breach of the fundamental values of our society.”
The crimes were committed between January, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2010, a period during which Applebaum was the mayor of the Côtedes-Neiges—Notre-Dame-deGrâce borough. He was arrested on June 17, 2013, while serving as interim mayor of Montreal.
On March 30, he was sentenced to a 12-month term followed by two years of probation. Because the sentence was below two years, it had to be served in a provincial detention centre, which meant he was eligible for parole after having served one-sixth of the term.
The summary also mentions that while behind bars, Applebaum participated in some rehabilitation programs, including one called “zootherapy” and participated in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings “despite the fact you have no problems” with alcohol. Applebaum told the board he attended the AA meetings because it seemed to be a productive way to spend his time. He expressed interest in taking part in other programs, but access to them was limited.
The release plan he presented to the parole board involves him returning home to his family and taking care of his elderly mother while he tries to find a job. After he was charged, Applebaum tried to work as a real estate agent but failed because of the notoriety of his case.
According to the summary, “the past few years have been difficult financially” for Applebaum and “your debts to your lawyer remain significant.”
He is required to follow a series of conditions for part of his release. One condition is that he carry out 20 hours of volunteer work a week.
On Tuesday afternoon, no one answered the door at Applebaum’s tidy house in Hampstead. A block and a half away on Queen Mary Rd., many of the people questioned didn’t seem to know about his conviction — or his release. But those who did, felt the former mayor had got off easy.
“I don’t think he’ll be a repeat offender — if that’s the logic behind him being released early, then it’s reasonable,” said a parent at École International de Montréal, who didn’t wish to give his name. “But it’s not much of a punishment for fraud. It seems white-collar fraud and corruption is not treated very seriously. But he has been punished by the media spotlight on him. He won’t be going back into politics.”
Bill Braswell, who was waiting for a bus on Queen Mary, said it was disappointing that someone elected to office would abuse his power as Applebaum did, and be treated so leniently.
“It doesn’t surprise me that as a former mayor he got out (in two months.) But he made Montreal look bad. If anything, the punishment should have been greater because he had more responsibility. There’s a blind trust and you kind of have faith that people voted in won’t mess with finances like that.”