Son of Caspian Projects owner testifies
WINNIPEG POLICE HQ INQUIRY
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
WINNIPEG — A key Caspian Projects employee testified that his father, company owner Armik Babakhanians, once said former Winnipeg mayor Sam Katz and then-deputy city chief administrative officer Phil Sheegl wanted $4 million in exchange for the police headquarters contract.
Shaun Babakhanians, a former project manager of Caspian Projects, testified Thursday at the provincial inquiry into the Winnipeg Police Service headquarters project.
He was asked about the time his father met with him shortly after speaking with Sheegl on Feb. 17, 2011. On that date, Armik Babakhanians sent himself an email stating he expected Sheegl to get approval for the project, the inquiry previously heard.
Former Caspian Projects project manager Shaun Babakhanians testifies at the Winnipeg Police Service Headquarters Inquiry on Thursday. (Ruth Bonneville/Winnipeg Free Press)
“However, I think he wanted 2+2 for sam and phil but the rest for us,” the email states.
It also notes “This will remain confidential for ever.”
On Thursday, Heather Leonoff, the legal counsel for the provincial inquiry, asked Shaun Babakhanians about a conversation he had with his father that day.
“He came to my house and told me that Sam and Phil wanted $4 million and I said no and he left,” answered Babakhanians.
“And did you ever hear anything more about this over the period of time the contract went on?” asked Leonoff.
“No, ma’am,” he answered.
Shortly after the statement, lawyer Evan Roitenberg, who is representing Sheegl at the inquiry, arrived at the hearing room and asked to cross-examine the witness on the unexpected comment.
Roitenberg noted Armik Babakhanians did not specify the word “millions” in the “2+2” part of the email and noted the company owner had testified he was not certain what was meant by “two and two.”
Under questioning, Shaun Babakhanians confirmed he made no notes of the conversation with his father, could not recall his exact words and was not part of the earlier conversation with Sheegl.
He said he remembers the gist of the conversation with his father, though he clarified that his own response at the time included “f— no,” stating he had not wanted to swear at the inquiry.
“If, in fact, what had been sought had been money, and I’m certainly not suggesting that that’s what was being talked about … nothing about money had ever come up again to your knowledge?” asked Roitenberg.
“No mention of money ever came up again,” said Babakhanians, also noting no one ever approached him to ask for money.
Armik Babakhanians, Sheegl and former mayor Sam Katz all previously testified at the inquiry that no bribe took place to secure the contract to build the police headquarters.
Shaun Babakhanians said he worked for Caspian Projects from about 2005 to 2016.
» Winnipeg Free Press