Former Liberal organizer Jacques Corriveau has been found guilty on three fraud-related charges in connection with the federal sponsorship program. Corriveau, 83, was charged with fraud against the government, forgery and laundering proceeds of crime between 1997 and 2003. The verdict came down today on the fifth full day of jury deliberations.
Allegedly $6.5 million fraud
The Crown alleged Corriveau set up a kickback system on contracts awarded during the sponsorship program and used his Pluri Design Canada Inc. firm to defraud Ottawa. Corriveau, who worked on former prime minister Jean Chretien’s Liberal leadership campaigns, allegedly pocketed $6.5 million.
Charged after 11-year investigation
Corriveau, who was considered one of the highest-ranking federal Liberals in Quebec at one time, was charged in late 2013 after an 11-year investigation. The RCMP alleged at the time that some of the money taken in by Corriveau ended up in the coffers of the Liberal Party of Canada while the rest went directly to the accused himself.
Jacques Corriveau sentencing arguments set for Nov. 28-29
Read more about the Corriveau verdict at CBC News.
