In 2011 Liato was convicted of possession of money reasonably suspected to be the proceeds of crime. Although the ruling was initially overturned by Lusaka High Court, the State took the case to the Supreme Court, and in 2015 he was jailed with hard labour for 24 months and was also ordered to forfeit his farm and K2.1m that had been found buried on his land.Supreme Court sends former Minister Austin Liato to Jail for 24 months Lusaka Times, 3 June 2015 However, he was released from prison in August on compassionate grounds after spending a month in hospital.Convicted Former Labour Minister Austin Liato released from Prison Lusaka Times, 24 August 2015
