MONTREAL – A former Quebec construction boss has delivered groundbreaking testimony about a system of corruption that saw him pay the Mafia a 2.5 per cent cut on public contracts.
   
Lino Zambito told Quebec’s corruption inquiry about a cartel-like operation lording over Quebec’s construction industry — and he claimed he had no choice but to participate.
   
He described a system that drove up the cost of public works.
   
Zambito said only certain companies were allowed to bid for public contracts and they’d all set their prices artificially high.
   
He said a group decision would be made on who would submit the lowest bid, and the Mob would claim a percentage.
   
The inquiry also heard yesterday that representatives from more than 70 construction companies visited a Mafia hangout several years ago, while the R-C-M-P was watching.
   
The inquiry is probing links between the underworld, the construction industry and political parties.