Photo shows Quebec union boss cavorting with construction magnate in Caribbean sea

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Globe and Mail

Photo shows Quebec union boss cavorting with construction magnate in Caribbean sea
Les Perreaux
Montreal — The Globe and Mail
Published Monday, Jan. 20 2014, 3:21 PM EST
Last updated Monday, Jan. 20 2014, 3:38 PM EST

Quebec’s corruption inquiry introduced photographic evidence Monday that is sure to become an enduring and powerful symbol of how the province’s construction bosses took back-scratching to a new level.

In the photograph, construction magnate Tony Accurso is shown waist-deep in the ocean scrubbing the back of his cigar-smoking friend, high-powered union boss Jean Lavallée.

Mr. Lavallée, the longtime former head of FTQ-Construction who is testifying at the Charbonneau inquiry into the intersection of the construction industry with illegal political financing and union skulduggery, admitted he took at least five trips to the Caribbean to vacation on Mr. Accurso’s luxury yacht, The Touch.

Mr. Accurso always paid for the trips, Mr. Lavallée admitted. “He was a friend for 32 years,” said Mr. Lavallée, who also had a seat on the FTQ’s multibillion-dollar investment fund, which was instrumental in funding some of Mr. Accurso’s projects. “It was another time. Who would have thought it was a sin to go on a boat.”



Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/photo-shows-quebec-union-boss-covorting-with-construction-magnate-cavoting-in-caribbean-sea/article16410050/

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[AtheistCrusader]

1. Well, there's a meme come to life...

[BeyondGeography]

2. Looks like a reunion of Bodies by Fondue

[James48]

3. union skulduggery?

Exactly what is that, anyway?

I always know who is posting when I see the term "Union boss". I know Union's don't have bosses other than the rank and file members. If I see "union boss" it is always from an anti-Union source.

But I get a real boost when I see the words "union skulduggery".


What is that?

[cigsandcoffee]

4. There's this paragraph about it:

The Charbonneau inquiry into the intersection of rigged construction contracting has heard thousands of hours of testimony about how industry bosses bribed other actors in the system. The testimony has also showed how political financiers, civil servants, politicians and union bosses gladly pocketed cash, hockey tickets, consumed expensive wine and meals and flew around the world on the dime of construction executives.

I guess that's the skullduggery. The construction executives were apparently getting something in return for their generosity.