Ex-Ontario political aide sentenced to jail in gas plants scandal

Former top political aide David Livingston has been sentenced to jail time in connection with the gas plants scandal.

Livingston, 65, was given four months in jail as well as 12 months of probation and 100 hours of community service.

“His conduct was an affront to, and an attack upon democratic values,”  Ontario court Judge Timothy Lipson said during sentencing.

“It was not for David Livingston to decide what the public should and should not know.”

Livingston was convicted of illegal computer use and for destroying computer records related to the cancellation of two gas plants ahead of the 2011 provincial election.

David #Livingston gets four months in prison, 12 months probation #BREAKING

— Lisa Hepfner (@LisaHepfnerCHCH) April 11, 2018

Ontario PC finance critic Vic Fedeli issued a statement after sentencing.

“Struggling Ontario taxpayers have waited seven long years for answers on how $1.1 billion of their hard-earned money could be wasted to save a few seats in an election,” he said.

“Today the Ontario justice system will run its course, but no sentence is going to return the money that was thrown away.”

After the sentencing, Livingston’s lawyer told reporters he was on his way to file an appeal.

He expects Livingston to be released on bail.