Former top Liberal official gets 15 months in jail

By Irwin Block, Canwest News ServiceDecember 4, 2009

MONTREAL — Benoit Corbeil will spend Christmas behind bars after the once powerful federal Liberal Party official was sentenced to 15 months in jail on Friday for pocketing kickbacks. Corbeil, who ran the Quebec wing of the party from 1999 to 2001, was also fined $20,000, which he has a year to pay, and ordered to refund the Liberal Party of Canada $117,310. Corbeil hung his head as he learned his fate. He pleaded guilty in June to one count each of influence-peddling and fraud. The defence had sought an absolute discharge if he repaid the outstanding money. The Crown had asked for 24 months behind bars. In court it was revealed Corbeil accepted $50,000 from the owner of a quarry and paving company, who was looking to purchase land from the federal government. Corbeil signed fake invoices totaling $117,310, transferring money from the Liberal wing's account to that of Giuseppe Morselli, a party fundraiser. But his crimes were not related to the federal sponsorship scandal.