Schreiber told accountant Airbus cash was for Mulroney but 'lied all the time'

[daleo]

OTTAWA — Karlheinz Schreiber's former accountant said Thursday that the German arms dealer once told him that one-quarter of the commissions from the sale of Airbus jets to Air Canada would go to former prime minister Brian Mulroney.

But Giorgio Pelossi also told the Commons ethics committee that he believes the 1986 payment – from millions that Mr. Schreiber received in Airbus commissions – was never made.

Speaking by video link from Switzerland, Mr. Pelosi testified that Mr. Schreiber said he promised another 25 per cent of the funds to lobbyist and former Newfoundland premier Frank Moores.

“Mr. Schreiber told me from the beginning that if the deal with Airbus will be done it's through the lobbying of Mr. Moores and the help of Mr. Mulroney,” Mr. Pelossi said.

“At the time we set up the account, he told that if the deal with Airbus will be done, he will have to give 25 per cent to Mr. Moores and 25 per cent to Mr. Mulroney.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080214.wmulroney0214/BNStory/National/home
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Perhaps Mulroney didn't get the whole 25%, or it didn't go exactly as planned. Still, I don't see why Schreiber would have lied to Pelossi about the general scheme. This is pretty damning, and shows why a full inquiry is needed.

[daleo]

1. Kady O'Malley's liveblog is fascinating

Pellossi had plenty to say, that's for sure. The media accounts appear to be damping things down, relative to what was actually said.