Magi escapes criminal record with plea bargain

Montreal construction magnate Tony Magi will not have a criminal record after pleading guilty Tuesday to improperly storing a restricted weapon.  

Magi's unconditional discharge was the result of a plea bargain his lawyer negotiated with the prosecution.  

Magi donated $5,000 to a fund that helps crime victims. He himself was a victim of an attempt on his life three years ago.  

Police found a Smith & Wesson .45 in a locked box in his night-table after raiding his home last year. It was supposed to be stored in a gun safe and be equipped with a trigger lock.  

However, when Magi's lawyer described the incident as a technical violation of the law Tuesday, crown prosecutor Cynthia Gyenizse didn't object.  

Gyenizse said the unconditional discharge is reasonable.  

"(He's) a first offender. The circumstances went in favour of giving an absolution in this file," said Gyenizse.  

Two years ago Magi was questioned after the death of Nick Rizzuto Jr. The son of mafia leader Vito Rizzuto was shot after leaving Magi's office in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame de Grâce borough.