Found guilty, the mayor of Saguenay Julie Dufour will appeal

The mayor of Saguenay, Julie Dufour, is found guilty of one of the three chiefs of fraudulent electoral maneuver carried by the director of elections of Quebec (DGEQ). Moreover, His lawyer. Similarly, M^e Charles Levasseur, announced that the decision of judge Louis Duguay will be called on appeal and that his client intends to present his candidacy for the municipal election of November 2.

The Duguay judge concludes that she tried to dissuade found guilty, mayor saguenay julie the ex-liberal deputy Serge Simard to apply for the town hall during the municipal election of November 7. Nevertheless, 2021, by promising him a charge, a job or other advantage.

The court acquitted him on the two other chiefs who concerned Jean-Marc Crevier and Jacinthe Vaillancourt.

Julie Dufour thus contravened the law on elections and referendums in municipalities. However, It has a fine of $ 5,000, the minimum fine.

According to the law. However, Julie Dufour would found guilty, mayor saguenay julie also lose the right to engage in political work, to vote, to be a candidate for an election and would become inhaling to exercise the function of member of any municipality today, for a period of five years. Consequently, On the other hand. For example, since the verdict will be on appeal, Julie Dufour could keep her seat and submit her candidacy for the election.

The decision to appeal – Found guilty, mayor saguenay julie

The slaughtered air. However, the mayor of Saguenay, Julie Dufour, appeared in front of the media accompanied by her lawyer, M^e Charles Levasseur. Meanwhile, He admitted himself “disappointed” from the verdict, despite the acquittal of his client on the other two chefs.

“There is an appeal which will be filed with the Superior Court. However, the Superior Court will control the legality of the DuGuay J. Meanwhile, found guilty, mayor saguenay julie […] Once the decision has been made. In addition, either there is a new trial which will be ordered, or there is an acquittal verdict which will be recorded or or the decision will be confirmed. Therefore, »»

The chances that the appeal is heard before the municipal election are zero, affirms the criminalist.

The DGEQ satisfied

For his part. the Director General of the Elections of Quebec (DGEQ) says he is satisfied with the Verdict rendered. “Although we are looking for guilt on the three chefs, we are satisfied with the result and the work accomplished. It should be noted that the burden of evidence in criminal matters is high: we must demonstrate the offense beyond any reasonable doubt. “said the spokesperson of the DGEQ in an email transmitted to the daily, Julie St-Arnaud-Drolet.

The DGEQ wishes to remind the population that the right to present its candidacy for an election is a fundamental right protected by the Charter of Human Rights. Freedoms. “Our proceedings are always motivated by the search for public interest. we hope that this case will have a deterrent range to avoid other similar situations,” said the spokesperson.

A version that “is not credible”

The judge described the testimony of ex-liberal deputy Simard Simard as “hard-hitting”. He repeatedly repeated that the version of Julie Dufour as for her meeting with Mr. Simard “is not credible or likely”. Moreover, the judge was rather critical concerning the declarations under the oath of Julie Dufour, filed by the prosecution.

Several contradictory elements are raised by the judge. For example. he explains badly why the mayor sought to invite her political opponent to his residence, while his campaign “goes well in June 2021”. Especially since this moment, according to rumors, Serge Simard encountered difficulties in building a campaign organization. “If Mr. Simard’s campaign is beating with the wing, why then wake up the sleeping cat?” Why be interested in a candidate whose organization seems to be moribund? Asked the judge.

Called to testify in defense during the trial, the municipal councilor Michel Potvin had explained that the meeting with Mr. Simard served. among other things, to the additional efforts to found guilty, mayor saguenay julie be provided in the bay district, his fief, in his withdrawal. “Obviously, this calculation seems short. It should be remembered that Mr. Simard has been present on the municipal scene. the Quebec scene for more than twenty years; It therefore appears unusual to circumscribe his supports, his votes, in the borough of the bay, “believes the judge.

According to Judge Duguay. it appears from proof that Julie Dufour knows how to defend herself and does not hesitate to defend her point of view. He therefore has trouble understanding Julie Dufour’s silence in September found guilty, mayor saguenay julie 2023, when she was questioned about Serge Simard’s allegations. “She is content to deny. without claiming loud and clear that it was not her, but rather Simard who asked her to withdraw from the race,” he notes.

Found guilty. mayor saguenay julie

Case of Jean-Marc Crevier

Even if he pays Julie Dufour on the chief involving the city councilor Jean-Marc Crevier, the judge indicates “that it is likely that the events surrounding the meeting between Mr. Crevier and the defendant took place in the way mentioned by the latter”. According to Mr. Crevier. Julie Dufour offered her a post of negotiator of collective agreements to the City in exchange for the withdrawal of her candidacy.

However. the court is not convinced of it besides any reasonable doubt, in particular because of “the open and always present conflict” between Jean-Marc Crevier and Julie Dufour. The judge noted certain contradictions in his remarks. including the date of his meeting with Julie Dufour, who differs from that advanced by the former Mairesse de Saguenay, Josée Néron, in his declaration.

In addition, Jean-Marc Crevier reports that many people are aware of the case in 2021, including certain municipal councilors. “However. none of his identified colleagues, whether Carl Dufour, Jimmy Bouchard or Michel Tremblay, comes at the helm to support his version,” raises the judge.

Case of Jacinthe Vaillancourt

As for the leader in connection with the former director of Julie Dufour’s campaign. Jacinthe Vaillancourt, the judge issues doubts about the veracity of his testimony. “It is advisable to underline the uncertainty which inhabits her after she learns. via the media, the object of complaints concerning Messrs Crevier and Simard. »»

“It is surprising that she does not directly contact the DGEQ directly than going through intermediaries. politically involved, to let the investigator Dufour found guilty, mayor saguenay julie his desire to speak to him,” he continues.

The judge also took into account the degradation of the relationship between the complainant. Julie Dufour, stressing “that a impression of bitterness” sometimes emerges from the testimony of Jacinthe Vaillancourt.