By Canadian Press

Ex-Laval mayor Vaillancourt sentenced to six years for corruption gets day parole

Nov 17, 2017 | 1:15 PM

MONTREAL — The former mayor of Quebec’s third-largest city who was sentenced to six years in prison last December after pleading guilty to conspiracy, fraud and breach of trust has been granted day parole.

A Parole Board of Canada document dated Nov. 16 says Gilles Vaillancourt’s request for day parole was granted after the board concluded it was unlikely he would commit a violent act if released.

The parole board noted Vaillancourt’s behaviour in prison was satisfactory and that he didn’t pose a threat to society.

Vaillancourt, 76, who was Laval mayor between 1989 and 2012, was among 37 people originally arrested in May 2013 by Quebec’s anti-corruption unit.

He was accused of taking part in a scheme whereby the City of Laval doled out municipal contracts in exchange for bribes and illegal donations from construction entrepreneurs.

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Vaillancourt’s day parole conditions include being banned from participating in political activities and from being responsible for the finances and investments of another person.

He also must return to a supervised residence each night.

Under a joint Crown-defence agreement, Vaillancourt was sentenced last December to five years, 11 months and 15 days in prison. He also had to reimburse about $7 million, mostly from Swiss bank accounts, and hand over his $1-million condominium.

The Canadian Press