Former construction contractors face 78 tax-fraud charges for work on Jewish General Hospital

Several individuals and companies involved in construction work at the Jewish General Hospital,includingGilbertLeizeroviciandRaphaelElkaim, are facingchargesoftax fraud.

Leizerovici told CBC News he would plead not guilty. He did not have any further comment.

Elkaim could not immediately be reached for comment.

Quebec's anti-corruption unit (UPAC) said in all, it hasfiled78 counts of tax fraud.

UPAC believes the accused, including individuals and several numbered companies,participated in a scheme to create false invoices and receivetax refunds and tax credits they weren't entitled to, in connection with work at the Jewish General Hospital.

The allegations span a period of more than three years, fromMarch 14, 2008 to Aug. 15, 2011.

If found guilty,the accused could face a total ofmore than $9 million in fines,and the individuals could be incarcerated, said UPAC in a statement.

The accused are expected toappear at the Montreal courthouse onJune 15 to be charged.

A spokeswoman for the Jewish General Hospital said the hospitalwill continue to support authorities in their investigation.

Since the case is before the courts, she said the hospitalwould not comment further.