A high-profile bank robber in Winnipeg was sentenced to eight years in prison on Wednesday. Klaus Burlakow will also have to pay $25,000 in restitution.

Burlakow, 49, a former city events planner in Winnipeg credited with helping bring the 1999 Pan Am Games to the city, pleaded guilty to robbing six banks in Winnipeg and one in Vancouver.

It's believed he stole more than $32,000 in the crimes, which were carried out in 2002 and 2003.

Klaus Burlakow (file photo)
Klaus Burlakow (file photo)

Burlakow also lived a double life in the Seattle area, where he claimed to be a rich Irish businessman. He has said he robbed banks to repay debts to organized crime.

He has been in jail since his arrest in Feb. 2003.