The lawyer for Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay's party is attacking the credibility of a key witness at the Charbonneau commission.  Michel Dorval is going after a former political organizer of Tremblay's Union Montreal party, who alleged in earlier testimony that the mayor knew about illegal election spending.  The inquiry is now hearing about the witness's old shoplifting charge and pornography viewing habits.    

During cross-examination today, the party lawyer claimed that Martin Dumont was fired for stealing food when he worked part-time at a grocery store in 1999.  Dumont admitted that he was charged with shoplifting and said he received an absolution after pleading guilty.  Later the lawyer suggested that, in 2004, Dumont was forced to switch jobs because he was caught viewing pornographic material while working at city hall. He was a special youth adviser to the mayor at the time.  

Dumont replied that, in fact, he left to work for Tremblay's Union Montreal party as a political organizer because it was a promotion. His salary went from $50,000 to $65,000. He said that he offered his resignation after the pornography incident but it was not accepted.  He later went on to work in federal politics, as an official in several ministerial offices and in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office. Dumont pointed out today that he passed the RCMP security clearance before being hired by the federal government.

Mayor Gerald Tremblay has cancelled two appearances this week. More here.

With files from CJAD/Photo:  Ryan Remiorz Canadian Press