City councillor wonders if former Montreal mayor was set up

City councillor Susan Clarke says shes asking herself if Michael Applebaum was set up, as the former mayor faces a total of14 charges including fraud and conspiracy.

Clarke told CBCs Daybreak that she has known Applebaum since he was 19.

"I know his parents. Ive seen the way he was brought up. Ive seen the way he treats his family," she said. "And in my opinion theres no way hes done anything wrong."

'Im really asking myself, if he wasnt set up.' Susan Clarke, Montreal ciy councillor

First elected in 2009, Clarke represents the Loyala district of Cote-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grace, the same borough that was under Applebaum's leadership until he was elected as mayor of Montreal.

Clarke says she has never seen a sign that "something iffy was taking place" in the borough.

Clarke called Applebaum a very tenacious guy who makes the tough decisions.

"I know a lot of people have resented him because he makes choices that are not easy ones to make," she said. "Sometimes that rubs people the wrong way and I think hes also probably prevented some dishonest behaviour."

"Im really asking myself, if he wasnt set up," she told CBCs Daybreak.

She also had questions about the tactics of Quebecs anti-corruption unit (UPAC). She referred to the senior manager in the CDN-NDG borough who committed suicide in March after he was questioned.

"Police states are the ones that knock on the door before its light and pick people up for questioning. Ive never seen that being done in civil cases," Clarke said.

But she did say she's glad to seethat investigations against corruption are underway.

As well, Vision Montreal councillor Vronique Fournier defended UPAC on the program saying the police unitwas doing its job.