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Montreal Mayor Michael Applebaum resigns after fraud charges | Montreal Mayor Michael Applebaum resigns after fraud charges |
(35 minutes later) | |
Montreal's Mayor Michael Applebaum has resigned, a day after his arrest on 14 fraud charges. | Montreal's Mayor Michael Applebaum has resigned, a day after his arrest on 14 fraud charges. |
As he stepped aside, Mr Applebaum told reporters that the charges against him were "unfounded". | As he stepped aside, Mr Applebaum told reporters that the charges against him were "unfounded". |
He faces allegations of defrauding government, breach of trust and conspiracy, among others. | He faces allegations of defrauding government, breach of trust and conspiracy, among others. |
The city's first Anglophone mayor in 100 years replaced Gerard Tremblay, who quit in November amid allegations related to illegal donations. | The city's first Anglophone mayor in 100 years replaced Gerard Tremblay, who quit in November amid allegations related to illegal donations. |
Mr Applebaum's arrest, in the early hours of Monday morning, is the latest in a string of scandals to hit Canadian local politics. | |
In the neighbouring province of Ontario, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford denies allegations that he appeared in a video smoking crack cocaine. | In the neighbouring province of Ontario, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford denies allegations that he appeared in a video smoking crack cocaine. |
"Being mayor of Montreal is not something one can do while defending themselves against these accusations," Mr Applebaum said. | |
"This is why I am resigning as mayor of Montreal. It is a responsible thing to do." | |
He said he would "do everything I can to prove the accusations against me are unfounded". | He said he would "do everything I can to prove the accusations against me are unfounded". |
"I have never taken a penny from anyone," he added. | |
Mr Applebaum began his term as interim mayor in November, vowing to fight corruption. | Mr Applebaum began his term as interim mayor in November, vowing to fight corruption. |
The charges against him stem from alleged acts before he became city mayor, during the years when he served as borough mayor, 2006-11. | The charges against him stem from alleged acts before he became city mayor, during the years when he served as borough mayor, 2006-11. |
Police officials offered few details, but said the charges related to real estate projects in Montreal. | |
Two officials with ties to Mr Applebaum's borough, Cote-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grace, were also arrested by anti-corruption police on Monday. |