Public punishment
The week's news at a glance.
Montreal
The first person charged in a corruption scandal that has shaken Canada’s ruling Liberal Party pleaded guilty this week, but he won’t go to prison. A judge ordered former advertising executive Paul Coffin to deliver a series of lectures on ethics to business students. Coffin admitted he pocketed $1.3 million in taxpayer money for services the Liberals paid for, but that he never delivered. Judge Jean-Guy Boilard said Coffin had already paid a high price for his role in the $200 million scandal and will spend the rest of his life making restitution. But John Williamson of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said the judge’s leniency was “a slap in the face to taxpayers.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
6 sun-drenched homes by the sea
Feature Featuring a large patio overlooking the ocean in Laguna Beach and a marble rainfall shower in Norwalk
-
Is China winning the AI race?
Today's Big Question Or is it playing a different game than the US?
-
5 refreshing podcasts you may have missed this spring
The Week Recommends Exploring the cultural impact of Jerry Springer, a look at contemporary spending habits and more