Two men have been arrested by Quebec anti-corruption officers on numerous charges — including abuse of power by a public official and defrauding the government.

UPAC says Paolo Catania and Francois Theriault were arrested today by provincial police.

The squad says an arrest warrant has also been issued for Catania's father, Antonio Catania.

Theriault and Paolo Catania were both released by investigators on promises to appear in court on May 1.

The men are also facing charges of conspiracy, fraud, use of a counterfeit document and accepting secret commissions.

Coincidentally, another man named Paolo Catania — his cousin — was also in court this morning, along with former Montreal executive committee chair Frank Zampino, and former Union Montreal bagman Bernard Trepanier. They face fraud-related charges in connection with the controversial Fauboug Contrecoeur land deal.

That Paolo Catania runs a construction empire alleged to have extensive ties to the Sicilian Mafia.

Richard Deschamps also contributed to this report.
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