MONTREAL - A Quebec judge handed down a prison sentence to a former federal Liberal organizer with a message for anyone involved in politics: public confidence in democracy is paramount and the court will crack down on illegal practices.
Benoit Corbeil, a prominent player in Quebec's sponsorship scandal, was stoic as Judge Suzanne Coupal handed him a 15-month sentence for defrauding the Liberal Party of Canada out of more than $117,000 -- an amount he was ordered to pay back in full.
Corbeil was also fined $20,000 for influence-peddling.
"In these troubled times in which confidence in our democratic institutions seems to be shaken, the courts must denounce and make known our disapproval of actions that could undermine the fundamental values of our society," Coupal said.
The sentence came after a guilty plea earlier this year from Corbeil for accepting a kickback and taking part in a fake-invoice scheme in a case that was conducted in parallel, but was unrelated, to the RCMP sponsorship investigation.
Corbeil pleaded guilty to influence-peddling for accepting $50,000 from a businessman who had hoped to buy a piece of federal land to expand his quarry just south of Montreal.
He also admitted to participating in a fraudulent fake-invoice scheme where he signed off on six invoices worth $117,315.
Corbeil claimed he never pocketed any of the money and that it went back into the party coffers. He worked with the party from 1997 to 2002, and served a stint as a regional director for Quebec for almost half that time.
A lawyer for the federal Liberal party's Quebec wing, which said it never saw a dime of Corbeil's cash, was pleased with Friday's verdict.
The sentence was far tougher than the conditional discharge Corbeil had been seeking -- a sentence that would have allowed the father of two to continue working.
Lawyer Michel Grenier said he would take the time to read the decision before deciding whether to appeal.
But Coupal sought to send a message that Corbeil's actions were serious and that he was trying to trivialize his involvement by saying the pressure from above made it impossible for him to say no.
"The exercise of democracy in Canada is dependent on the existence of political parties. The honesty of the people who manage the finances of these bodies is of utmost importance as, at the end of the day, it goes to the integrity of our public institutions," Coupal said.
"The infractions committed by the accused are certainly enough to spark a sentiment of disillusionment about politics among citizens."
Prosecutor Josee Fontaine, who'd asked for a sentence of between 18 and 24 months, said she was satisfied.
"The message is clear: it's zero tolerance for this type of crime," Fontaine said.
Liberal party lawyer Charles Cote also said the party had filed a perjury and contradictory testimony complaint against Corbeil with courthouse constables.
Cote said testimony Corbeil gave during his sentencing hearing contradicted evidence he gave to the federal Gomery Commission several years ago.
