Laval
21 November 2012. The former head of Les Excavations Panthère, André Durocher, told the Charbonneau commission that a small number of companies Montreal and Laval got all the city contracts using threats, intimidation and violence. Durocher said he and his family were targeted because his company received contracts wanted by members of the controlling group. He said he received threatening calls and his equipment was vandalized and his brother was punched in the face with brass knuckles, he told the commission. Eventually, he said, four men in a black Cadillac showed up at his office. Two came to hand him a piece of paper with a phone number. He said the men told him “you better call.” Durocher said he ignored the suggestion. Shortly after, he received a call from his insurance agent who told him that insurance on all his equipment will be cut if he submitted a bid for Chabanel contract. Durocher withdrew his bid and Conex Construction, a company belonging to Tony Conte – whose name was mentioned in previous testimony – got the $1.8 million contract City auditor general allegedly knew about corruption but he failed to take any action.
