Mayor of Saint-Rmi, Que., arrested on corruption charges

Municipal officials in the Quebec town of Saint-Rmi say they are standing behindMayor Michel Lavoie, who was arrested along with his son and a business partner this morning on charges of fraud and conspiracy.

Investigators with theprovince's anti-corruption unit (UPAC) allege Lavoie used his position to ensure public building projects were developed and built by family members or business partners.

A spokeswoman for the mayor said Friday afternoon she had not yet spoken to Lavoie, but did not expect him to step down.

"We are fine with keeping his duties," Cynthia Mnard said.

St-Rmi Coun. Joseph Boire said he was surprised by the mayor's arrest.

"It's easy to make accusations," Boire said, "but unless there's proof of his guilt, he's innocent."

UPAC alleges the mayor had zoning regulations changed and rigged bids to ensure the contracts went to those companies.

Lavoie's son, real estate agent Sbastien Lavoie, and contractor Dominic Dorais were also arrested. Criminal charges were also laid against the company Construction Dominic Dorais.

The three are to appear in Longueuil court to face a total of 17 charges in March 2013.

Michel Lavoie,electedin 2005,is the second Quebec mayor to be arrested by the anti-corruption unitthis year.

Richard Marcotte, former mayor of Maschouche, was arrested in alarge sweep last April that also included Quebec construction magnate Tony Accurso.

In 2011, theformer mayor of Boisbriand, Que., Sylvie St-Jean,was charged inconnection with a corruption scandal that allegedly spanned between 2003 and 2009.

Those cases are still working their way through the courts.

Chargeslinkedto building of fire station, seniors' home

Michel Lavoiewas among the subjects of aninvestigation by Operation Hammer, the provincial police squad responsible for investigating fraud and white-collar crime, in Saint-Rmiin2010.

The investigation focused on the construction of a fire station and a residence for seniors in the municipality.

UPAC's spokeswoman confirmed Friday morning that the criminal charges are also connected to those projects.

Saint-Rmi, a town of about 7,000, is about 30 kilometres south of Montreal.