A Law Society of Alberta tribunal has rebuked — and ordered to pay a $38,810 bill for costs — former Alberta Justice Minister Kaycee Madu over a call he made to Edmonton's police chief after receiving a ticket for distracted driving in 2021, reported Postmedia on Monday.
Madu's political career declined in 2023 when he lost his seat in the Alberta general election to Nathan Ip of the NDP. Post-election, Madu faced the disciplinary hearing by the Law Society over the earlier traffic ticket incident.
Last year, Madu was found to have “undermined respect for the administration of justice” when he called the police chief in 2021 after receiving the ticket, reported Postmedia.
"The chair of the three-person panel, Tamela Coates, issued the reprimand at the end of Monday’s hearing, calling it a matter of utmost seriousness."
“You have failed in your commitment and obligations as a lawyer. That failure is even more egregious given the unique role you were vested with at the time of the events, one in which the public was entitled to regard your conduct as that which ought to have set an example,” said chairperson of the three-person panel, Tamela Coates.
“These are not simply words. Your conduct has been found markedly wanting and this reprimand is intended to convey the strongest possible message to you.”
Madu was also ordered to pay $38,810.42 in costs.
He is appealing an earlier finding of professional misconduct. The awarding of costs is delayed until the appeal ends.