Former Laval mayor Gilles Vaillancourt has been sentenced to six years in prison.
The Crown and defence were both recommending Vaillancourt receive a six-year prison sentence, and to repay $8.5 million, for his role in swindling millions from taxpayers and companies.
Vaillancourt, 76, was mayor of Laval for more than two decades, until his resignation and arrest on corruption and fraud charges in 2012.
On Dec. 1, Vaillancourt admitted his guilty to charges of fraud, breach of trust, and conspiracy, while charges of gangsterism were withdrawn.
Vaillancourt has been in jail since he entered his guilty plea.
Six years is the harshest sentence ever given to an elected official convicted of fraud or corruption.
Crown prosecutor Richard Rougeau has estimated the fraud totalled several dozen million dollars between 1996 and 2010.
The City of Laval will take possession of his $1-million condominium as well as a sum of $300,000. Vaillancourt, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud and breach of trust, will also be deprived of $300,000 in pension payments.
Vaillancourt was mayor of Quebec's third-largest city between 1989 and 2012 and earned the nickname "The Monarch."
Because he is convicted of a non-violent crime, with good behaviour Vaillancourt could be out of prison in one year.
Three dozen more people are still awaiting trial, and as a result the details of Vaillancourt's misdeeds are under a publication ban.
Meanwhile the city of Laval is suing Vaillancourt for $12.8 million allegedly taken by the former mayor and the directors of Nepcon as part of their collusion and corruption scheme.
With files from The Canadian Press
