MONTREAL -- The mayor of Quebec's third-largest city is denying allegations that someone in his entourage received a $25,000 kickback from the man who has become the star witness at the Charbonneau Commission.
Former construction boss Lino Zambito, whose testimony at the construction inquiry has grabbed headlines, told Radio-Canada he gave the money as part of a contract in the city of Laval.
The CBC's French-language network says Zambito made the allegation in an interview before he took the stand at the commission a few weeks ago.
Radio-Canada broadcast part of the interview on Thursday.
Zambito alleged the $25,000 allowed him to be paid "extras" by the City of Laval.
A spokeswoman for Laval Mayor Gilles Vaillancourt said the allegations are false and demanded a retraction from Radio-Canada.
Vaillancourt has drawn the attention of authorities. Earlier this month, the provincial police anti-corruption squad raided his office and two residences he owns.
Vaillancourt said he had no idea why investigators conducted the raids and rejected calls for his resignation, saying he has not even been charged with any crime.
