A judge gave the NHL Hall of Famer and Order of Canada recipient a suspended sentence, a $100 fine and ordered him to make a $10,000 charitable donation to a substance abuse program. Despite the fairness of the sentencing, which means no jail time but gives him a criminal record, Lafleur’s lawyer said they will appeal, probably because they have a civil suit still to be resolved. The elder Lafleur launched a $3.5 million civil suit against police and crown prosecutors for unlawful arrest, claiming authorities went too far in issuing an arrest warrant since there was no flight risk and he was not a threat to public safety.
The elder Lafleur was charged with obstructing justice after telling the court his son, Mark, had been obeying bail conditions to sleep overnight at their Ile Bizard home when in fact police found out he paid for his son to stay at a hotel to have some private time with his then 16-year-old girlfriend. He later came clean about the hotel arrangements in court.
While the younger Lafleur, who had purported substance-abuse issues, should have been given a harsher sentence than the six months of house arrest and 15 months of community service he received in February for uttering death threats, forcible confinement and assault, the case against his father was not as serious but the publicity about the arrest warrant sullied his reputation nonetheless. Lafleur’s civil suit has merit, but it is unfortunate he did not accept the slap-on-the-wrist sentence he received, and deserved for misguided loyalty to his son, last Thursday in provincial court.
Meanwhile, Lafleur’s status as a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Quebec could be threatened due to his conviction. However, a criminal conviction doesn't automatically lead to a revocation of the Order of Canada.
Though, it has happened three times before, including former hockey agent Alan Eagleson who was stripped of his national honour after he was convicted of fraud. On the other hand, former media mogul Conrad Black has kept his Order of Canada title as he serves prison time for fraud and obstruction in the United States. Considering the circumstances of his case, Lafleur should keep his orders since poor parental-based judgments are not as severe as fraud or embezzlement.
Lafleur saga continues
Lafleur saga continues
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- Published on June 24th, 2009
- Published on Febuary 6th, 2010
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Carter Haydu
Times-Herald
While he may not be father-of-the-year material, current Ile Bizard resident and former NHL star Guy Lafleur received an appropriate sentence for giving contradictory testimony at his son’s bail hearing. His obstruction charges related to contradictory evidence given at one court appearance but made international headlines because of an unnecessary arrest warrant.
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Comments
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- Mike Matlin
- - February 10th, 2010 at 11:46:32
Personally, I've always felt things like The Order of Canada should go to people who actually do something above and beyond the regular call of duty/life, that results in either the world being a better place or greatly improving the lives of some of the people that live in it. Just doing a job well and getting paid astronomical money for it shouldn't earn you the OoC it should earn you the accolades of a successful career. In the case of Lafleur, having your name on Lord Stanely's cup should suffice, oh yeah and the hockey hall of fame. Order of Canada, I think not! Uneless you've accomplished something really profound that affects the populace as a whole like being Jackie Robinson. As well, had I known that violently chasing a piece of rubber would bring on impunity, if not immunity from life's twists and bumps. I might have been a hockey player, NOT!
