Former N.L. politician out of jail

One of the former politicians convicted in the spending scandal in Newfoundland and Labrador has been released from jail, less than three months after he was sentenced.

Wally Andersen, a former Liberal cabinet minister who represented the Labrador district of Torngat Mountains in the legislature until 2007, was released before Christmas.

Andersen was sentenced in Supreme Court in early October to 15 months in jail for forgery and nine months, to be served concurrently, on breach of trust.

By law, Andersenwas allowed to apply for early release after serving one sixth of his sentence.

Heis currently back living at home in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and getting plenty of support from his former constituents. A Facebook site has been created that welcomes him home and encourages him to put his jail time behind him.

Andersenis one of four provincial politicians who was charged after the province's auditor general revealed in 2006 that politicians were overspending their constituency allowances.

In an agreed statement of facts, Andersen admitted to taking almost $90,000 more in public money than he was entitled to.

Hisfraud totalled $89,524, with $59,084 taken through false constituency spending claims, and $30,440 in improper discretionary claims.

Andersen apologized at the time of his sentencing, saying that none of the stolen money went to him, but instead to people in his district who were in need.

Judge Wayne Dymond said in sentencing Andersen that the length of jail time may not satisfy the public but it does satisfy the law.

Dymond said it was long enough to deter other public officials from doing what Andersen did but short enough that it wouldn't destroy Andersen's chance for rehabilitation.

The province's auditor general reported in 2006 that four politicians received excess payments from their constituency allowances, which are meant to pay for such expenses as offices and travel.