Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Erik Bornmann's "good character" hearing to become Ontario lawyer held over to April 26 - Basi-Virk Crown witness faces opposition

The "good character" hearing on Basi-Virk key Crown witness Erik Bornmann's attempt to become a lawyer in Ontario has been held over until April 26, the Law Society of Upper Canada confirmed today.

Bornmann, who police say provided ex-BC Liberal ministerial aides David Basi and Bob Virk with money and benefits in exchange for confidential government information about the sale of BC Rail in 2003, is required to pass what a Society spokesperson called a "licensing hearing" before he can be admitted to the bar as a lawyer.

Bornmann completed his law degree at the University of BC and previously applied to both the Ontario and New York state law societies for admission as a lawyer but was unsuccessful to date.

A two-day hearing that began in Toronto yesterday was not long enough to complete the process, the spokesperson said in an interview Tuesday.

.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

no kidding. bornman has more skeletons in his closet than one can count.

do we know what happened during the hearing thus far?

DPL said...

I still find it hard to believe that a guy who arranged bribes would even be considered to attend the bar. If the clown gets accepted, they all make themselves look like a non ethical bunch of ambulance chasers

Anonymous said...

With the Liberal connections that Bornmann has, there is always a way to gain the advantage despite bribery and corruption.

I can think of a newly appointed Leader of the Liberals in BC who has direct connections to Bornmann.

Anonymous said...

If you think bribing public officials is contrary to the character required of a member of the bar, send the Upper Law Society of Canada an email regarding this matter at:

tribunals@lsuc.on.ca

I know I did

BC Mary said...

.

For what it's worth, I sent a polite request to the Upper Canada Law Society yesterday ... and received a prompt and civil reply in return.

I know of at least 3 others who also e.mailed the UCLS.

I mention this because sometimes people are far too quick to give up on these normal actions available to citizens ...

and after all, how can we, as responsible citizens, fulfill our own duties to the province we love, if we don't persist in gathering the information?

Thanks for the important help you provide, Bill.

E.M said...

I hear many people have written letters regarding His Character ;)

Anonymous said...

The Judicial system in BC, overlooks many matters of crimes and corruption. Perhaps Ontario's Judicial system does not. The Ontario people, should be informed of Bornmann's character.

Anonymous said...

I also wrote to the Law Society about the self confessed briber of public officials being able to become a lawyer.

Nice to know that people are concerned with criminal behaviour

Anonymous said...

"Nice to know that people are concerned with criminal behaviour"

It is, but too bad it is selective.

If it wasn't for the political aspects of this lawyer, none of the bloggers would take any interest.

Any interest in being concerned about other criminal behaviour such as drunk driving, and driving while yakking or texting on a cell phone??

Anonymous said...

BS - Anon 2:01

Many have commented on the drunk driving conviction by the former Premier of this province and of the Kash Heed affair still making its way through the court process.

Someone who bribes a public official for information about the sale of BC Rail should not be allowed to practice law.

Or maybe you just rather turn a blind eye to the whole affair and allow criminal activity to go unpunished.

Anonymous said...

Bornman must have a lot of gall, or, sure of his way in to have a hearing.

Everyday I get more fed up, with the corruption, dirty tactics, lies and the disgrace in this country. The media have no ethics, nor, pride in their professions. That there was even a consideration, of a hearing for Bornman, blows me away.

Pamela said...

In response to various comments:

1) He's not a lawyer. He has a law degree. The hearing is to determine whether or not he will be allowed to practice.

2) This article is about Erik Bornmann. It doesn't make any sense to assume that people limiting commentary to his behaviour are OK with drunk driving or anything else.

3) I know plenty of people in the media who would love to get their teeth into this story. It's not the reporters or the editors, it's the publishers.

4) and if Erik Bornmann is allowed to practice law, I think it's only fair that Gordon Campbell should be asked to serve as our next Lt. Governor and Kash Heed should be able to head an inquiry into his own behaviour.

Anonymous said...

"Many have commented on the drunk driving conviction by the former Premier of this province and of the Kash Heed affair still making its way through the court process."

Again, moe to do with politician, rather than the actual transgression. Few have blogged about the little girl who was killed by a drunk driver in Delta who literally walked out the front door of the court house (no jail time).

"Someone who bribes a public official for information about the sale of BC Rail should not be allowed to practice law."

Correct.

"Or maybe you just rather turn a blind eye to the whole affair and allow criminal activity to go unpunished."

or just keep watching the contributer continually whine.

Anonymous said...

"Moe to do with the politician..."

Ha ha! Freudian slip?

Anonymous said...

Moe to do with the politician..."

Ha ha! Freudian slip?

Could be. But Moe Sihota was cited for violations by the BC Law Society.

Anonymous said...

Oh that was my point, believe me.

I think Moe also holds the provincial record for being removed from cabinet, though I could be wrong about that.

Way to go for making him your president BCNDP! It speaks volumes....

St Roch said...

to the Anon (several times - who also appears under a number of other rubrics in other places) - you know who I mean.

Why not just stop trying to change the subject.

Fact is, NDP governments have done a far better job of disciplining their ministers than either the Socreds or the BC Liberals have.

If you can't understand that peddling influence is a lot more serious, relative to the credibility and honesty of the government in this province, than a single drunk driver (however unfortunate and deadly), then Erik Bornmann isn't the only BCLiberal hack with an ethics problem.

bob c said...

Anonymous said...

Oh that was my point, believe me.


Hmm... Is this one of your multiple personalities talking to the other?

Please take your pill while you still can.

Anonymous said...

"Please take your pill while you still can."

Bob obviously did and the medication isn't working.