Frank Zampino, ex-Montreal politician, granted stay of proceedings in fraud trial
Zampino's defence team argued charter rights were violated when police taped conversations with his lawyer
A Quebec Court judge has ordered a stay of proceedings in a fraud and corruption case against the former second-in-command at Montreal city hall, Frank Zampino.
Judge Joëlle Roy ruled police violated Zampino's charter rights when they recorded conversations between him and his lawyer during an earlier trial.
Roy found there were "numerous and serious" breaches of Zampino's rights during the investigation.
She criticized police investigators and Crown prosecutors, as well as the judge who originally authorized the wiretaps.
"The fairness of the trial and the integrity of the justice system are at stake," Roy said.
BREAKING: a judge has ordered a stay of proceedings on second batch of charges for former number 2 at Montreal city hall, Frank Zampino
—@SteverukavinaZampino's lawyer, Isabel Schurman, told reporters at the Montreal courthouse that she and Zampino are very happy with the decision.
"When we learned that the state had listened to communications between Mr. Zampino and members of our office, we stated in court that we felt we were in a parallel universe," Schurman said.
"This decision recognizes that solicitor-client privilege is sacred and that the state has no right listening in to communications between people and their lawyers," she said.
Zampino didn't respond to reporters' questions.
Zampino beats charges for 2nd time
The ruling delivered Monday came after Zampino's second attempt to seek a stay of proceedings in this case. It represents a major victory for Zampino, coming just as he was set to go trial for the second time in less than two years.
He was accused in 2017 of helping steer municipal contracts to certain engineering firms more than a decade ago, in return for political financing and other favours.
That arrest came while he was being cross-examined while on trial for fraud and corruption charges in the Faubourg Contrecoeur case — a case in which he was eventually acquitted.
Trial continues for other accused
Five other people are still facing trial in this second case involving Zampino.
After announcing Zampino's stay of proceedings, Roy adjourned the trial until next Monday to give lawyers for the other accused and the Crown a chance to consider their options.
Crown prosecutors told reporters they needed time to study the decision, but as far as they are concerned, the trial against the other five will proceed.
They didn't rule out appealing today's decision.
The City of Montreal has also filed a $26-million lawsuit against Zampino, construction magnate Tony Accurso, and a number of other people and companies in a bid to recover taxpayers' money lost to allegedly shady contracts.
City spokesperson Genviève Jutras told CBC in an email the city won't comment on today's decision until it has more time to review it.
"It is important to remember that this has no impact on the civil remedies undertaken by the City and that we are continuing our efforts in this direction," Jutras said.