Wife led Finnish pilot's cash grab: judge

A Finnish pilot arrested with his wife as they collected tainted money in Melbourne has lost a prestigious career and 12 years worth of superannuation, but will not have to return to jail.

Lauri Metsaranta, 36, pleaded guilty to one charge of dealing in cash believed to be the proceeds of crime after Federal Police swooped on him and his wife on February 1 last year.

The Finnair pilot and his wife Changchen Chen, 32, were found to be carrying $899,460 they had picked up from a room in Melbourne's Mantra hotel while on a trip he described as "a sort of honeymoon".

Metsaranta was released on bail last July after having served five months in prison.

In sentencing on Friday, Victorian County Court Judge Sandra Davis said the Finnish national had already suffered a great personal consequence as a result of his arrest.

She accepted that he played a lesser role in the crime than his wife, who was jailed for 13 months last September.

"Your plea, albeit late, indicates your contrition," Judge Davis said.

"You have already suffered great professional and financial consequences.

"I consider that you played a lesser role for a shorter period."

Metsaranta was sentenced to 13 months prison, with a minimum of five months to serve. But he was released on a recognisance order as he had already served 160 days in jail.

Judge Davis said Metsaranta had good prospects for rehabilitation and had already made arrangements to begin a new career in construction.