The former DG of Laval is already released

Photo archive, Mélanie Colleu
During his time at the Charbonneau commission, in 2013, the ex-DG of Laval Claude Asselin had admitted to having participated in the system of collusion in Laval.

Michael Nguyen

Friday, 23 march, 2018 21:10

UPDATE
Friday, 23 march, 2018 21:10

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The former director-general of the Ville de Laval will have eventually spent four months in prison for his participation in a vast system of corruption and collusion of public contracts, despite the fact that he has been punished with a sentence of two years less a day.

“The risk you represent, by a return home, is not unacceptable to the society,” says the Commission québécoise des libérations conditionnelles (AGENCY) in a recent decision.

Claude Asselin, 74 years old, is back home after being sentenced to prison last October for conspiracy and fraud, ranging from 1996 to 2006.

According to the evidence, Asselin participated in a system that allowed the engineering consulting firms and construction companies to benefit from public contracts in exchange for a discount of 2 %.

Fear of losing his job

It could be paid in cash, but also in the form of “gifts” in charitable events.

“The award of the majority of public contracts in construction was decided before the receipt and opening of bids, recalls the AGENCY. The “winners” were previously designated by the director of engineering, in collaboration with you, the director-general. “

At the hearing of the AGENCY, Asselin admitted that he “closed the eyes” in the face of this system for fear of losing his job. It was only to follow the guidelines of the ex-mayor Gilles Vaillancourt, he said.

“You acknowledge that you are aware of having wronged the residents of the city of Laval, to employees and to your family “, noted the AGENCY, adding that Asselin regretted having lost his savings and part of his pension fund.

Detention difficult

Asselin, a follower of boats, says his incarceration has been difficult. But, in spite of everything, he claims to have done his best to ” occupy his time “. It has put in place various programs to assist detainees who cannot read or write.

“You had an exemplary behavior,” notes the Commission.

And even if he has ” betrayed the public trust “, his recognition of the crimes and the deterrent effect of four months of incarceration were such that he did not deserve to serve his entire sentence in custody, concluded the AGENCY. It must, however, comply with several conditions, including volunteering.

► The ex-mayor Gilles Vaillancourt, who had been sentenced to six years in prison in December 2016 in the same folder, had received a parole a year later.