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MONTREAL — The Montreal replacement mayor who recently took office amid a corruption scandal, and who promised to restore public trust, has now been arrested in a bribery case.

Mayor Michael Applebaum was picked up at his home Monday by Quebec’s anti-corruption unit as part of a broader investigation into construction deals involving Mafia-linked figures and involving a public official who recently committed suicide.

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Applebaum faces 14 charges including fraud, conspiracy, breach of trust, and corruption in municipal affairs, prompting widespread demands for his resignation.

Just seven months ago Applebaum rose to his role by promising to lead Montreal out of its era of sleaze.

In a skilful bit of political manoeuvring last fall, he courted support from different parties and was elected by council on an interim basis to replace Gerald Tremblay.

Applebaum had pledged not to run in the upcoming election, slated for November, but his interim appointment was enough to make history: he became the first Anglophone mayor of the city in exactly 100 years.