The jailed former mayor of Laval appears to be enjoying a more comfortable existence than his fellow inmates at the Saint-Jérôme penitentiary.
Since entering prison last week, TVA Nouvelles reports Gilles Vaillancourt has been living in a private cell in the infirmary where cells are grouped by two, with a common area including a television.
The one-time "King of Laval" also has access to a telephone, shared only with the paired cell, according to the news outlet.
The privileged lodging and amenities are not a normal thing for an inmate, according to a criminology expert that spoke with TVA.
Last week, Vaillancourt pleaded guilty to fraud, breach of trust and conspiracy to commit fraud over a kickback scheme for municipal contracts, dating back to his years as mayor.
The former mayor agreed to a six-year prison sentence, with possibility of parole as next year.
A judge still has to approve that sentence, which will be decided December 15. After that Vaillancourt will be moved to a federal penitentiary.