Convicted ex-senator Lavigne to learn fate June 16

Formersenator Raymond Lavigne will learn June 16 whether he will be put behind bars fordefrauding the government and breaching the public's trust.

At a sentencing hearing in Ottawa Tuesday morning, Crown attorney Jonathan Brunet asked that the former Quebec MP and resigned senator be sentenced to 12 to 15 months in prison for his crimes. Lavigne's lawyer, Dominic St-Laurent, wants his client to serve whatever sentence he receives in the community.

Lavigne, his wife seated beside him, listened as the Crown asked thathebe sentenced to 12 to 15 months in prison.

The couple became emotional when Lavigne's lawyermentioned their daughter, whom they adopted 20 years ago from a mother who was struggling with substance abuse. The disgraced politician broke down in tears as his wife comforted him and wiped away her own tears.

Lavigne's lawyerdescribed his client's background to the judge how he grew up in poverty in a Montreal neighbourhood as one of 14 children, and how he started working after finishing Grade 11. He said Lavigne became a successful businessman and member of Parliament and was so highly respected in his community that 1,000 people came to a party to celebrate his 15th anniversary as an MP.

Facing jail time

Lavignewas found guilty on March 11 of defrauding the government and breach of trust. He was found not guilty of obstruction of justice.

The former Quebec MP and senator faces up to 14 years in jail for fraud and up to five years for breach of trust.

Lavigne was convicted of making $10,120.50 in reimbursement claims for travel expenses he didn't incur. The breach of trust involved misusing his office resources by having a staff member cut down trees on his personal property while on the Senate payroll.

Aneighbour's inquiry into the tree-cutting eventually led to an investigation by the RCMPandcharges against Lavigne in 2007. His case has been dragging through the courts since then.

No longer in caucus

Lavigne was thrown out of the Liberal caucus after the charges were laid, and the Senate prevented him from sitting on committees or entering the chamber without permission from the Speaker. He continued to collect his $133,000 salary, however, and charge taxpayers more than $10,000 a month in travel, office and hospitality expenses.

After Lavigne was found guilty on March 11, the Senate immediately cut off his ability to spend taxpayer dollars by suspending his office budget and other resources, but he still collectedhis salary.

He resigned on March 21, meaning the Senate did not have to decide whether to kick him out.

His resignation also means Lavigne can collecthis pensions, one for his time as a senator andanother for his time as a LiberalMP.

Lavigne was appointed to the upper chamber in 2002 bythen Prime MinisterJean Chrtien.

The last time a senator faced criminal charges was in the 1990s when Conservative Senator Michael Cogger was accused of influence peddling. He was given a conditional discharge in 2001.