Longtime 'King of Laval,' ex-mayor Gilles Vaillancourt, to plead guilty to fraud

The man once known as the "King of Laval" will plead guilty today to fraud charges in connection with allegations dating back to his time as mayor, sources tell CBC's French-language network, Radio-Canada.

Gilles Vaillancourt, who ran Quebec's third-largest city for more than two decades,was arrested in 2013 as part of a sweepby the province's anti-corruption unit, known as UPAC.

Theprosecution and Vaillancourt's defence teamhave agreed to proposea sentence of six years in prison and the reimbursement of $9 million, Radio-Canada's Marie-Maude Denishas learned.

The 75-year-oldwill plead guilty tofraud on the government, breach of trust,conspiracy and fraud.

Gangsterism charge suspended

It's also understood that Quebec'sDirector of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions has agreed to suspend the gangsterism charges against Vaillancourt as part of the agreement, which must be approved by a judge.

The longtime mayor was arrested along with 36 others in March2013, when UPACraided Laval city hall, banks andVaillancourt'sresidence in a sweep.

He was originally facing12 charges including conspiracy, fraud, influence peddling, breach of trust and gangsterism.

Thirty-three of his co-accused are still slated to stand trial.

Vaillancourtwas mayor of Laval for 23 years, from 1989 to 2012.

He is set to appear at the Laval courthouse Thursday morning.

Laval living in shadow of Vaillancourt

The minister responsible for Laval,Francine Charbonneau, said Wednesday that Laval had been living in a shadow since Vaillancourt was charged three years ago.

Speaking to reportersafter a cabinet meeting, Carbonneau said that the plea, if it happens, would bea step forward.

"It will turn the page, but I'm waiting anxiouslyto see tomorrow how this will end," she said.

Charbonneau added that Vallancourt's actions had put a "grey cloud" over all elected officials and hurt the public's confidence.