Ex Quebec construction mogul Tony Accurso to be sentenced in corruption case

Former Quebec construction mogul Tony Accurso is to be sentenced today following his conviction on fraud and corruption charges.

A jury recently found Accurso guilty on all five charges he was facing stemming from a municipal corruption scheme in Laval.

The Crown wants Accurso to receive a five-year prison term and have to pay $1.6 million in restitution.

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Accurso’s lawyer told the court his client should serve a suspended sentence in the community.

He also cast doubt on Accurso’s ability to pay such a sum given several outstanding civil cases.

Accurso was found guilty of conspiracy to commit corruption in municipal affairs; conspiracy to commit fraud; fraud of more than $5,000; corruption of municipal officials; and breach of trust.

The scheme was orchestrated by former Laval mayor Gilles Vaillancourt and the charges involved a kickback scheme between 1996 and 2010 where companies paid off city officials in exchange for public contracts.

Vaillancourt pleaded guilty to fraud-related charges and was sentenced to six years in prison.