Glenn Thibeault
The trial of Liberal backroom operators Pat Sorbara Gerry Lougheed in Sudbury heard a jolting remark from a Crown Lawyer today when he said Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault “sought certain benefits” to run in a provincial byelection. The remark stunned the court. Later reporters peppered Crown Vern Brewer with questions. He suggested that Thibeault was not charged because: “The section makes it an offence to offer, not necessarily to receive (a bribe).” The “benefits” were not described. Sorbara and Lougheed are charged with offering such a bribe. .Mr. Thibeault’s lawyer was enraged by the interpretation of events and said the Crown was sullying Thibeault’s reputation. The comments were wrong he said. The charges against Sorbara and Gerry Lougheed stem from allegations the pair offered a would-be candidate a job or appointment to get him to step aside in a 2015 byelection in Sudbury for Thibeault, the premier’s preferred candidate Thibeault, was then the New Democrat MP for Sudbury.
