Investigation Finds No Evidence Rodriguez Knew of Alleged Fundraising Irregularities
A comprehensive investigation conducted by retired Superior Court judge Jacques Fournier has concluded that Quebec Liberal Leader Pablo Rodriguez had no knowledge of or involvement in allegedly dubious fundraising tactics during his 2025 leadership campaign. The report, spanning forty pages and delivered to the Liberal Party this week, specifically addresses allegations that emerged in November 2025 regarding potential vote-buying schemes.
Unverifiable Text Messages at Heart of Controversy
The controversy originated when Journal de Montréal published a story on November 19, 2025, based on text messages it had obtained. These messages, allegedly exchanged between Liberal supporters, suggested that votes for Rodriguez were being purchased for the price of a "brownie" – slang for a $100 bill. The messages indicated a system where party memberships were being compensated, with voters receiving payment after casting their ballots.
Judge Fournier's investigation determined that there is no way to verify the authenticity or falseness of these text messages. He noted that the messages lack clear dating, making it impossible to establish when they were sent or their origin. Fournier stated that the texts "can only be a montage" cobbled together from other original messages, yet he could not conclusively declare them false without access to the complete message threads.
"Nothing indicates he (Rodriguez) participated or was informed of any fundraising irregularities before taking knowledge of the Journal de Montréal article on November 19, 2025," Fournier concluded in his report released to media outlets.Key Findings and Limitations of the Investigation
The investigation faced significant limitations, as Fournier acknowledged he did not possess the legal authority to compel testimony from individuals connected to the story. Most witnesses who did participate were willing to take an oath to tell the truth. The judge enlisted private investigator Anne Cléroux to assist with data gathering.
Several key figures mentioned in connection with the text messages provided sworn statements denying involvement:
- Liberal MNA for Chomedy, Sona Lakhoyan, confirmed she learned about the texts only when the newspaper contacted her for comment on May 6, 2025. She denied erasing any messages and provided phone records showing no messages sent or received on April 12, 2025 – the date referenced by Journal de Montréal.
- Lakhoyan's sister, Zepure Lakhoyan, who conducted fundraising for the Rodriguez campaign, denied any knowledge of "brownies" or involvement in the texting, providing phone records showing no exchanges on relevant dates.
- Coalition Avenir Québec MNA for Fabre, Alice Abou-Khalil, denied any knowledge of the texts in an email to Fournier.
- Federal MP Fayçal El-Khoury, whose first name appears in one text, told the judge he had no idea what the messages referenced and was more involved in federal politics at the time.
Additional Fundraising Irregularity Investigated
Fournier also examined a separate Journal de Montréal story from December 16, 2025, alleging that at an April 12, 2025 fundraising event for Rodriguez, a host compensated supporters for campaign contributions – a practice known as a "straw man system" that contravenes Quebec's electoral laws.
The investigation identified wine and port importer Emanuel Cabral, president of Global International Networks Wines & Spirits, as the person who staged the event. Cabral has publicly admitted to paying for some of his employees to donate. Fournier noted that while the event appears to violate electoral laws, he is limited in his comments because Quebec's anti-corruption unit (UPAC) is investigating the matter.
Once again, Fournier found no evidence connecting Rodriguez to this irregularity, describing it as potentially an "isolated and unwise" initiative by one individual.
Political Fallout and Leadership Transition
The fundraising scandal created significant political turmoil for the Quebec Liberal Party, ultimately leading to Rodriguez's resignation as leader on December 17, 2025. Rodriguez has consistently maintained his innocence, recently telling L'Actualité magazine that he was the victim of a party coup d'état to oust him as leader.
The deadline for candidacies to replace Rodriguez is approaching, with only Charles Milliard officially declared as a candidate so far. The party crisis also sparked a wrongful dismissal legal battle between former Liberal parliamentary leader Marwah Rizqy and her former chief of staff, Geneviève Hinse, a close associate of Rodriguez.
Throughout the investigation, Fournier emphasized that none of the revelations directly implicated Rodriguez, and the newspaper that originally broke the story never suggested the Liberal leader was aware of the alleged activities. The judge's report provides some clarity on the matter while acknowledging the inherent limitations in verifying the controversial text messages that sparked the political firestorm.
