Man. judge in nude photo scandal steps aside

Lori Douglas, a Manitoba family court judge involved in a scandal over nude photos of her that appeared online, has requested to be temporarily relieved of her duties as a sitting justice of the province's Court of Queen's Bench.

Queen's Bench Justice Marc Monnin said Wednesday that Douglas, an associate chief justice, will "remain in her position in an administrative capacity" as the Canadian Judicial Council investigates a complaint against her.

Douglas requested to be relieved "in the interests of the judiciary and of the court," Monnin said in an emailed statement.

Winnipegger Alexander Chapman, 44, made a complaint to the judicial council in July.

Chapman alleges that Douglas's husband, Winnipeg lawyer Jack King, 64, harassed him in 2003 by pressing him to have sex with Douglas, who was also a lawyer at the time.

Douglas was appointed a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench (family division) on May 19, 2005. She was appointed as an associate chief justice of the Court of Queen's Bench (family division) on May 14, 2009, which meant she also became a member of the Canadian Judicial Council, an agency that sets policies for the federal judicial system.

'The test for removal is whether or not a judge has the confidence of the public to discharge the duties of their office.' Norman Sabourin, Canadian Judicial Council

Douglas has declined to comment, saying it's a private matter.

Norman Sabourin, the executive director of the judicial council, said Wednesday it would take about three months to complete an investigation into Chapman's allegations.

The complaint will beinvestigatedby a chief justice from outside Manitoba, Sabourin said,butif it's deemed serious enough, it could be heard at a public inquiry.

"The inquiry would hear witnesses, review all the scope of the allegations against the judge and would determine if it's a matter that warrants a judge's removal," said Sabourin.

"The test for removal is whether or not a judge has the confidence of the public to discharge the duties of their office so that is the ultimate test," he said.

A federally appointed judge can only be removed upon order of Parliament.

Complainant seeks $67M

Chapman has made a separate complaint to the Manitoba Law Society about King's alleged conduct.

On Wednesday, Chapman filed separate lawsuits against King for $10 million and against Douglas for $7 million. He is also suing the law firm Thompson Dorfman Sweatman, where the couple used to work, for $50 million.

He told CBC News on Wednesday that he couldn't live with what he says happened any longer.

"I'm standing here at the courthouse and I'm very nervous I've been like this for seven years," he said.

"I just want people to know that this happened to me and it was real for me."

He said he was relieved to have his story out in the open.