Former Quebec union boss sentenced to 12 months for faking, inflating bills

MONTREAL — The former leader of one of Quebec’s main construction unions has been sentenced to 12 months in jail.

Jocelyn Dupuis was convicted in September of faking and inflating bills worth more than $63,000.

Police said during his trial that the majority of the bills Dupuis expensed to his union were for lavish restaurant meals and expensive bottles of wine.

His lawyer indicated he will appeal today’s ruling, although Dupuis will most likely have to spend the weekend behind bars.

Dupuis was head of the Quebec Federation of Labour’s construction wing between 1997 and 2008.

The Quebec court judge who found Dupuis guilty said the Crown’s evidence against him was overwhelming.