Accused in scam once linked to Harper aide

MONTREAL— The ripple effect from a corruption inquiry that has focused so far on local wrongdoing in Montreal moved closer to federal circles, with testimony about a scam involving a man once linked to the office of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Quebec’s inquiry heard Tuesday that the man the Harper government once promoted as its preferred candidate to run the Port of Montreal played a role in corruption schemes that were rampant in the local construction industry.

Robert Abdallah was accused of participating in a kickback scam at the City of Montreal, during testimony before the inquiry that is looking into the construction industry and its links to organized crime and politics.

Former construction boss Lino Zambito alleged that Abdallah, then top civil servant in the city, instructed him through a middleman to use piping from a particular firm on a major sewer contract.

The piping was more expensive — but Zambito says he was assured by a city engineer acting as a middleman that he would be compensated and informed that $300,000 would go to Abdallah as part of the deal.

Members of the board of the Port of Montreal said they were urged to appoint Abdallah by a one-time senior aide to Harper, Dimitri Soudas.

Abdallah was not appointed in the end and, after leaving city hall, worked in the construction industry. The allegations against him at the Charbonneau commission have not been proven in court and he has denied them in media interviews.