Former Laval mayor Gilles Vaillancourt has pleaded guilty to charges of fraud, breach of trust and conspiracy.
Both the Crown and defence are recommending a six-year prison sentence as part of the deal, and for him to repay $8.5 million. In court Thursday, it was revealed that Vaillancourt had $7 million in Swiss bank accounts; that money is being returned to Laval. He also forfeits his $1-million condo and his $30,000 pension for ten years.
The judge ordered Vaillancourt to be imprisoned immediately. He has yet to rule on whether or not he agrees with the common suggestion for the six-year sentence. The judge is taking the sentencing proposal under deliberation and will render a decision on Dec. 15.
The hearing was interrupted for a few moments when the judge asked Vaillancourt whether he had intended to commit the crimes for which he pleaded guilty.
"I had no intention," he told the court.
Surprised by the response, Justice James Brunton suspended the hearing to allow Vaillancourt to speak with his attorney, Nadine Touma.
Upon his return to the court a few minutes later, he revised his statement, admitting his intention to commit the crimes.
A charge of gangsterism is being dropped as part of the plea deal.
Vaillancourt, 76, was very emotional as he spoke in court, apologizing to his constituents and his family. He said he did great things for Laval but that he also made mistakes.
Commenting from Quebec City, Premier Philippe Couillard said "the fundamental message is that no one is above the law."
The Crown and the defence have agreed that Vaillancourt should serve six years in prison.
Justice Brunton will make his decision on Dec. 15, but if does sentence Vaillancourt to six years in prison, it would be the harshest sentence ever given to an elected official convicted of fraud or corruption.
With good behaviour, Vaillancourt could be out of prison in one year.
The city of Laval also has a civil case where it is seeking the return of $12.8 million allegedly collected by Vaillancourt and the directors of Nepcon as part of the corruption and collusion scheme that operated for a dozen years.
Vaillancourt resigned from public office in 2012 after serving as Laval mayor for 23 years.
He was arrested the following year and charged with being the head of a criminal organization that defrauded taxpayers in Laval for decades by manipulating contracts.
Three dozen others were arrested in the sweep, including construction company owner Tony Accurso, and charged with being part of the kickback ring led by Vaillancourt.
The details of UPAC's case against Vaillancourt have been kept secret as part of a court-ordered publication ban. The publication ban is in place partly because the lawyers for the co-accused are concerned about the details of the evidence being released before their trials are heard.
