MONTREAL After nine years, the case against Tony Accurso and four co-defendants for allegedly defrauding Revenue Canada has been abandoned by the Crown. Prosecutor Francois Blanchette requested a stay of proceedings on Thursday, saying that the disclosure of evidence required by Judge Melane Hebert could not be accomplished within a reasonable deadline. The former construction magnate was accused of having organized, along with entrepreneur Francesco Bruno and accountant Francesco Fiorino, a scheme whereby bribes of nearly $250,000 would have been paid to former federal tax officials Adriano Furgiuele and Antonio Girardi in order to avoid paying tax. Accurso and three of co-defendants were first brought to court in 2012 while Girardi first appeared in 2018. In all cases, the maximum time limit had been exceeded. However, the court had recognized the complexity of the case, which allowed it to proceed.