Court rules inquiry into nude photos of judge could cause ‘irreparable harm’

WINNIPEG – A Federal Court judge says a disciplinary hearing into the conduct of a Manitoba judge whose nude photos ended up on the Internet could cause “irreparable harm” unless it is put on hold.

The Canadian Judicial Council hearing into Queen’s Bench Justice Lori Douglas was supposed to resume this summer.

But on Friday, Justice Judith Snider put the inquiry on hold indefinitely, saying salacious details about the case could damage the judge’s personal and professional reputation.

Snider granted a stay until a judicial review determines whether the council’s panel of five judges is biased against Douglas.

In the summer of 2010, Alex Chapman filed a complaint with the council accusing Douglas of sexual harassment.

Chapman alleged the judge’s husband, Winnipeg lawyer Jack King, sent him nude photos of his wife and wanted Chapman to have sex with her.

King was representing Chapman in a divorce case.