Charges Stayed – May 4, 2021

Accused: André Côté, of Notre-Dame-du-Portage, Quebec.
Facts: On December 10, 2020, five charges were sworn under the Canada Elections Act in the Court of Quebec. The charges resulted from an investigation into Roche Ltd, Consulting Group, for illegal contributions made by the firm to political entities.
Offence:
  • One charge was laid against André Côté for knowingly acting in collusion with certain senior officials of Roche Ltd, Consulting Group, and other persons for the purpose of circumventing or attempting to circumvent the prohibition set out in subsection 404(1) of the Canada Elections Act by soliciting monetary political contributions from certain senior officers and other employees of Roche Ltd, Consulting Group, as well as from other persons, on behalf of federal political entities, by offering them a reimbursement from Roche Ltd, Consulting Group.

  • One charge was laid against André Côté for knowingly acting in collusion with certain senior officials of Roche Ltd, Consulting Group, and other persons for the purpose of concealing or attempting to conceal the source of certain contributions governed by the Canada Elections Act by soliciting monetary political contributions from certain senior officers and other employees of Roche Ltd, Consulting Group, as well as from other persons, on behalf of federal political entities, by offering them a reimbursement from Roche Ltd, Consulting Group.

  • Three charges were also laid against André Côté for knowingly concealing or attempting to conceal the source of contributions governed by the Canada Elections Act by soliciting monetary political contributions from employees of Roche Ltd, Consulting Group, on behalf of federal political entities, by offering them a reimbursement from Roche Ltd, Consulting Group.
Result: On May 4, 2021, at the request of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, the Court ordered a stay of prosecution for the five counts against André Côté.


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