The former president of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, Jason Boudrot, has been suspended by the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society for misappropriating money from clients’ trust funds, according to his former firm.
“Such a violation is among the most serious a lawyer can commit,” Adam Rodgers said in a statement Wednesday night.
Rodgers, a partner at Boudrot Rodgers Law Inc. in Port Hawkesbury, added that Boudrot has been removed from the firm. He said Boudrot reported the incident to the Barristers’ Society on Monday.
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Boudrot was a managing partner at the firm prior to the alleged violation.
In Rodgers’ statement, he said the firm has been reviewing its operations to understand the full scope of the issue to ensure missing funds are replaced.
“Our lawyers and staff have begun the process of contacting our clients individually to inform them of the steps involved in transitioning their matters, and want to encourage any clients to reach out to us if they have not yet been contacted directly,” Rodgers stated.
The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society has issued a notice on its website that Boudrot is suspended, effective Oct. 31, “until further notice.”
“We confirm that the NSBS took steps to protect the public as soon as it was notified of the allegations,” Victoria Rees, the director of professional responsibility, said in a statement.
An investigation is underway, but the NSBS cannot provide any details in respect of its investigation at this time, because under the Legal Profession Act, the complaints process is confidential.
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“The complaints process focuses on fairness, thoroughness and public protection. We do not control information other parties, informants or complainants choose to make public. We will provide further information when it can be made available in accordance with the Act.”
Boudrot Rodgers Law Inc.’s website says Boudrot was called to the bar in 1996 and is from Arichat.
On Oct. 30, it was announced that Boudrot resigned as president of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party. The party’s board accepted Boudrot’s resignation, “citing personal reasons.”
Executive director Mike Mercer said he was unaware Boudrot’s law license had been suspended until Oct. 31. Mercer told Global News that when Boudrot offered his resignation on Oct. 30, he said it was “nothing party-related.”
On Nov. 1, the premier told reporters the news is concerning, but the party is not concerned about its own finances.
“There would be no involvement in terms of the party,” Stephen McNeil said. “He did not have any signing authority or access to the party (finances).”
Boudrot was elected party president at the most recent annual general meeting on Oct. 13. Before that he served as vice-president for eight years.
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