An Ontario judge has been found guilty of judicial misconduct by a disciplinary panel after they determined there’s enough evidence backing allegations that he sexually and physically assaulted a woman three years ago.
The Ontario Judicial Council, which looks into complaints against judges in the province, reports that the panel unanimously agreed five out of six allegations against Ontario Court Justice Paul Currie were established on a balance of probabilities, meaning it’s more likely than not that they occurred.
A summary of the decision indicates that the woman’s account of the assaults from January and April 2023 and their aftermath was “logical, consistent on the material points and aligned with other evidence in the record.”
The panel noted that Currie’s testimony was “at times internally inconsistent and was undermined by contemporaneous evidence.”
Additionally, the panel concluded Currie engaged in misconduct by attempting to dissuade the woman, identified only as A. A., from participating in the council’s investigation, taking over five days to turn himself into police after a warrant for his arrest was issued, and regularly drinking and driving.
However, it found there wasn’t enough evidence to support claims that Currie tried to discourage A. A. from giving her statement to police.
Currie previously served as regional senior justice for central west regions including Brampton and St. Catharines until his term ended last August. He initially faced criminal charges which led the former chief justice of Ontario Court of Justice to file a complaint with the council.
The criminal charges were dropped in June 2023 when prosecutors decided there wasn’t a reasonable chance for conviction. To find someone guilty in a criminal case, allegations must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The council then looked into the complaint further, leading to a review panel ordering a hearing which took place over several days in November.
A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 4 to decide on appropriate actions going forward.
By Paola Loriggio
Last 30 Days: 75,665 Votes
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However, it found there wasn’t enough evidence to support claims that Currie tried to discourage A. A. from giving her statement to police.
Currie previously served as regional senior justice for central west regions including Brampton and St. Catharines until his term ended last August. He initially faced criminal charges which led the former chief justice of Ontario Court of Justice to file a complaint with the council.
The criminal charges were dropped in June 2023 when prosecutors decided there wasn’t a reasonable chance for conviction. To find someone guilty in a criminal case, allegations must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The council then looked into the complaint further, leading to a review panel ordering a hearing which took place over several days in November.
A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 4 to decide on appropriate actions going forward.
By Paola Loriggio
Last 30 Days: 75,665 Votes
All Time: 1,162,463 Votes
5736 VOTES
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