Ex-employee who defrauded LCBO given 4-year sentence

TORONTO -- A former employee who defrauded the LCBO of more than $2.1 million has been sentenced to almost four years in prison.

Francois Agostini, 59, was also ordered to pay more than $1.4 million in restitution to the LCBO's insurer, Chubb Insurance.

Agostini pleaded guilty before Tuesday's sentencing.

He had already committed $713,000 toward paying back the stolen $2.1 million that includes half a million dollars found hidden in a crawl space at his home along with hundreds of bottles of liquor.

The judge said Agostini took advantage of his position at the LCBO, where he was in charge of a program designed to give discounts to embassy and consular officials.

A forensic audit found Agostini had stolen between $2.1 million and $2.7 million from the LCBO between 1998 and 2012.