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Former city of Montreal executive committee chairman Frank Zampino was among eight people arrested by Quebec’s anti-corruption unit (UPAC) early Tuesday as part of an investigation into the city’s since-rescinded water meter contract.

Investigators contend the suspects were part of a network of engineering firms and city officials that created a system of awarding contracts in exchange for political financing, kickbacks and other benefits. The eight face charges of fraud, conspiracy and breach of trust.

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The investigation is focusing on 30 contracts — most of them for engineering services — worth about $160 million and awarded between 2001 and 2009. Union Montreal fundraiser Bernard Trépanier, described during the Charbonneau inquiry into corruption in the construction industry as “Mr. Three Per Cent,” was also among those arrested Tuesday, as was former city of Montreal public works director Robert Marcil, and Kazimierz Olechnowicz, Yves Théberge, Dany Moreau and Normand Brousseau. Bernard Poulin, the head of an engineering firm and whose home was the target of a UPAC raid in 2015, was also arrested.