Construction magnate Tony Accurso is withdrawing from his business empire and leaving the world of business.

He made the announcement today in a letter to his 3500 employees.

A worker walking into the Simard-Beaudry Construction office in Laval, one of Accurso's many businesses, didn't want to comment on the bombshell from its owner.

Accurso announced he was leaving for personal reasons and in the interest of the company. He apologized to his workers for the turbulent times the business has found itself in the last few years, and for the worries and repercussions it's caused them.

Accurso said he made the decision after a difficult period of reflection that began more than a year ago. Accurso said he's stepping aside for more younger and energetic replacements to redefine and face the challenges ahead, adding his departure will mean changes involving the structure of the companies that will be announced soon. Accurso spoke proudly of the business started by his father in the 50s, adding he hoped it would continue in the development and construction of Quebec.

He told La Presse newspaper that he had no choice but to leave and that the businesses could no longer grow with him at the helm. He said he's hired a consulting firm to go over the options including selling, merging or handing the business over to people already in place.

Accurso and his company have been at the heart of numerous allegations of collusion and corruption, including ones coming out of the Charbonneau Commission inquiry. Company offices have been targetted recently by Revenue Quebec search warrants. Two companies pleaded guilty in 2010 to tax evasion of more than four million dollars.

Accurso himself faces charges of breach of trust, fraud and corruption.

Photo: The Montreal Gazette