Former N.L. politician Walsh sentenced to 22 months

Jim Walsh, a former Liberal cabinet minister in Newfoundland and Labrador, has been sentencedto 22 months in jail for his part in a spending scandal that rocked the province.

Judge David Orr handed down the sentence Wednesday in the latest chapter of the scandal that involved politicians from all three of the province's political parties, and culminated in charges in 2006.

Walsh, who overspent his expense accounts by nearly $160,000 between 1999 and 2004, was found guilty in December on charges of fraud and breach of trust.

Orr gave Walsh to 22 monthson the fraud conviction, and 12 months onthe breach of trust conviction.

"Stealing from the government is no different than stealing from your fellow citizens," said Orr.

Walsh "abused his position as an elected official and took advantage of his position to enrich himself."

The sentences are to be served concurrently.

Walsh has also been ordered to repay $144,000 of the money.

Just before sentencing, Walsh told the court he had "been wounded during this process, most of it self-inflicted."

Walsh apologized to the people he hurt and the people he offended, but didn't apologize for his actions.

No evidence of remorse: prosecutor

The other former politicians who have already been convicted of fraud-related charges in the spending scandal include:

• Wally Andersen, former Liberal, who received 15 months jail time.
• Randy Collins, former New Democrat, who will be sentenced Jan. 15.
• Ed Byrne, former Progressive Conservative, who was sentenced to two years, less a day.

Walsh'ssentence is higher than what the Crown asked for earlier in the day when prosecutor Frances Knicklerecommended that Walsh get at least 18 months of jail time.

Shetoldthe court there is no evidence of remorse or insight from Walsh that he did anything wrong when he overspent his expense accounts.

Knicklesaid his not guilty plea showed a lack of "insight into the wrongfulness of the conduct.

"Mr. Walsh's evidence before the court is that he did nothing wrong," Knickle told the court. "Mr. Walsh admitted nothing."

She said he did acknowledge that he received the money in question. but since the paper trail led to his account, that amounted to a "hollow admission."

"He was very patronizing about his responsibility," she said. "If those who make the law will not respect it, who will?"

Knickle called Walsh's duty as a public official a "serious and sacred trust."

Walsh's life 'ruined,' defence says

Defence lawyer Vernon French countered Knickle's arguments by asking the court to sentence Walsh to six to nine months, telling the court, "His life and reputation are obviously ruined," and that, "At 60 years old, the future is not bright."

French said he wouldn't waste the court's time arguing for a conditional sentence, saying, "I can't deny the seriousness of the charges."

He said Walsh's lack of a guilty plea shouldn't be held against him, because the former politician believes he did nothing wrong.

"Why should a man plead guilty to something that, in his heart and soul, he doesn't believe that he did?" French asked. "The mitigating factor of a guilty plea should not be held against my client in any way."

French said unlike some others who have been charged and convicted in the spending scandal, Walsh did not forge documents or involve third parties, and he was not convicted of receiving bribes.

As for restitution, French said it's not an issue, as $2,500 a month was being deducted from his pension, and $35,000 to $40,000 had already been paid back by Walsh.

"I suggest that 18 months is more than severe," said French, who also told the court that Walsh has been forced into bankruptcy.

Walsh sat in Newfoundland and Labrador's house of assembly from 1989 until his defeat in 2003, serving as the province's tourism minister and minister of works, services and transportation. The court heard that most of the overspending happened in Walsh's final three years in politics.