Charbonneau whistleblower Lino Zambito avoids jail time

SAINT-JEROME, Que. – A star whistleblower at Quebec’s corruption inquiry will avoid jail time and serve a sentence in the community.

Lino Zambito was handed a community sentence of two years less a day on charges of fraud, conspiracy and corruption.

READ MORE: Quebec corruption inquiry ends after 30 months of public hearings

He’ll have to perform 240 hours of community work and be on probation for three years.

READ MORE: 14 highlights from Quebec’s corruption inquiry

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Zambito is known for his testimony at the Charbonneau inquiry in 2012.

He said construction tycoons paid kickbacks to municipal political parties and members of the Mafia in exchange for public contracts.

READ MORE: Quebec wants to recuperate sums it lost to fraud and corruption

Defence lawyer Conrad Lord hailed the judge’s decision, saying his client contributed to the fight against corruption through his inquiry testimony.

READ MORE: Ex-Quebec construction boss Lino Zambito pleads guilty to charges

Zambito said he was happy to turn the page after four years in the justice system.