TORONTO (JTA) — Montreal’s Jewish interim mayor has resigned amid corruption allegations.

Michael Applebaum, 50, who took over as interim mayor last November, maintained his innocence as he announced his resignation after being charged with 14 counts of fraud, breach of trust and corruption.

“Being mayor of Montreal is not something that one can do while defending oneself against accusations of this nature,” Applebaum told reporters at City Hall on Tuesday. “I’m going to put my energies into my defense and my family.”

The veteran former city councillor who became Montreal’s first Jewish major was arrested Monday morning at his home by Quebec’s anti-corruption squad. He is accused of involvement in a scheme involving two real estate deals that occurred between 2006 and 2011 and ”tens of thousands of dollars” in bribes, according to police.

“I maintain my innocence,” Applebaum said Tuesday in his first comments since the arrest. “I have every intention of continuing to fight like I always have and I want to be clear: I have never taken a penny from anybody.”

Applebaum, who replaced a former mayor who also stepped down amid corruption allegations, was released from police custody Monday afternoon and won’t make his first court appearance until Oct. 9.

Also arrested Monday was former city councillor Saulie Zajdel, a member of the Lubavitch community. He was charged with five offenses, including fraud, corruption and breach of trust.