The Harper government's once-favoured candidate for the presidency of the Port of Montreal has been named in testimonyabout a corruption scheme during Quebec's public inquiry.    

Robert Abdallah is being accused of participating in a kickback scam, during testimony today before the inquiry which is looking into the construction industry and its links to organized crime and politics.    

 Former construction boss Lino Zambito has alleged that Abdallah, then director general for the City of Montreal, instructed him through a municipal engineer to use piping from a particular firm while working on a major sewer contract.    

The piping was more expensive, but Zambito says he was assured by the city engineer that he would be compensated.    

 Members of the board of the Port of Montreal have said that a onetime senior aide to Harper, Dimitri Soudas, had personally met with them to persuade them to appoint Abdallah. He was not appointed in the end.    

The allegations at the Charbonneau commission have not been proven in court.

Photo:  La Presse