Post by litigator on Jul 26, 2007 9:52:44 GMT -5
Family court judge sued
Altered transcripts still anger paralegal
By BRIAN GRAY, SUN MEDIA
A family court judge is being sued in small claims court for altering transcripts by a paralegal and his client.
Harry Kopyto and Robin Mayer are suing Justice Marvin Zuker for $10,000 -- the maximum allowed in small claims court -- for lost income, court costs and punitive damages stemming from an incident two years ago in the judge's courtroom.
In July 2005, Zuker refused to allow Kopyto to represent Mayer in proceedings before him because of his history and for being "adversarial" in court -- remarks Zuker later had
removed from the transcripts.
In May 2006, Zuker admitted before the Ontario Judicial Council that he tampered with the transcripts and he received a warning for his "slip from grace" by OJC chairman Justice Robert Blair.
"That slap on the wrist was ridiculous," Kopyto said yesterday. "We think he should be held accountable."
Zuker had refused to allow Kopyto to represent Mayer in a fight against Jewish Family and Children's Services over a supervision application because he said she needed a lawyer, the judge told the OJC hearing.
Kopyto was disbarred in 1989 for overcharging Ontario Legal Aid of more than $150,000.
"She faced the possibility of losing her children," Zuker told the hearing. "I had grave concerns proceeding with Mr. Kopyto and I felt it was imperative for her to have legal counsel."
The suit was filed in small claims court on Tuesday because he wanted to guarantee he would get a hearing and not get tied up in the higher courts for years and cost a lot more.
"This is all about the principle, it's got nothing to do with the money," Kopyto said. "If a judge finds him guilty we will be happy with whatever the sentence is."
Zuker did not return calls.
Kopyto and Zuker have a history dating back to the mid-1980s when the judge had the then lawyer cited for contempt and he was charged with scandalizing the court for saying the police and courts work to help each other and are stuck together with Krazy Glue
Altered transcripts still anger paralegal
By BRIAN GRAY, SUN MEDIA
A family court judge is being sued in small claims court for altering transcripts by a paralegal and his client.
Harry Kopyto and Robin Mayer are suing Justice Marvin Zuker for $10,000 -- the maximum allowed in small claims court -- for lost income, court costs and punitive damages stemming from an incident two years ago in the judge's courtroom.
In July 2005, Zuker refused to allow Kopyto to represent Mayer in proceedings before him because of his history and for being "adversarial" in court -- remarks Zuker later had
removed from the transcripts.
In May 2006, Zuker admitted before the Ontario Judicial Council that he tampered with the transcripts and he received a warning for his "slip from grace" by OJC chairman Justice Robert Blair.
"That slap on the wrist was ridiculous," Kopyto said yesterday. "We think he should be held accountable."
Zuker had refused to allow Kopyto to represent Mayer in a fight against Jewish Family and Children's Services over a supervision application because he said she needed a lawyer, the judge told the OJC hearing.
Kopyto was disbarred in 1989 for overcharging Ontario Legal Aid of more than $150,000.
"She faced the possibility of losing her children," Zuker told the hearing. "I had grave concerns proceeding with Mr. Kopyto and I felt it was imperative for her to have legal counsel."
The suit was filed in small claims court on Tuesday because he wanted to guarantee he would get a hearing and not get tied up in the higher courts for years and cost a lot more.
"This is all about the principle, it's got nothing to do with the money," Kopyto said. "If a judge finds him guilty we will be happy with whatever the sentence is."
Zuker did not return calls.
Kopyto and Zuker have a history dating back to the mid-1980s when the judge had the then lawyer cited for contempt and he was charged with scandalizing the court for saying the police and courts work to help each other and are stuck together with Krazy Glue