Referring to “very broad and very serious” allegations of sexual harassment against Ottawa lawyer James Bowie, a Toronto judge granted the legal regulator’s request to search for and seize Bowie’s smartphones and computers to access his social media accounts.
CTV reported this month that a woman alleged to the Law Society of Ontario that Bowie offered legal services in exchange for sex, wanted to do illicit drugs with her and shared an explicit picture.
Bowie tweeted “it’s fake” after CTV’s initial story came out. His lawyer didn’t immediately return a request for comment Wednesday.
Bowie gained attention on social media earlier this year when he live-tweeted the court proceedings of various figures from the Freedom Convoy movement that occupied the streets of Ottawa.
The Law Society said in court it was seeking to find evidence “concerning other potential victims, some of whom have been coming forward recently,” according to the ruling granting approval for the search and seizure
“The allegations against the respondent are of a predatory nature,” wrote Superior Court Justice Fred Myers in a ruling dated last Friday. “Moreover, they are alleged to be an open secret in the legal community in Ottawa if not beyond.”
The regulator’s application to the court was made without notice given to Bowie, which Myers said is permitted under the Law Society Act. He wrote last Friday that he would withhold publication of his ruling “for a brief period” pending the search and seizure.
Bowie is alleged to have used Snapchat, as well as alleged to have sent “explicit pictures and other inappropriate communications” through Facebook Messenger, Myers wrote.
“I am satisfied that the respondent’s devices and social media accounts likely contain evidence that relates to the initial and broadened matters under investigation,” Myers said.
A Law Society spokesperson declined to comment Wednesday, saying investigations by the regulator are confidential unless they result in public action, such as a discipline hearing
Bowie was suspended indefinitely by the Law Society Tribunal earlier this month for failing to co-operate with unrelated investigations.
