Alberta’s former justice minister, Jonathan Denis, has been found to be in contempt of court for sending an “intimidating” letter to a witness in the middle of a former chief medical examiner’s wrongful dismissal trial..Denis’ lawyer said they plan to file an appeal..Denis sent a letter to lawyer Allan Garber, who is representing Dr. Anny.Sauvageau, Alberta’s chief medical examiner from 2011 to 2014, nearing the end of her testimony in her $7.5-million lawsuit against the province..The letter complained of a continuing a “campaign” of defamation by Sauvageau against him, threatening a possible lawsuit against her..Garber told court on Monday about the existence of the letter. Denis’ lawyer said the letter was pertaining to comments.Sauvageau made to reporters outside of court..“I find him liable on a beyond a reasonable doubt basis for contempt of her privileged right of her own testimony in court and I further find … that this was intended by Mr. Denis to be an action of intimidation to prevent her from pursuing her right to testify,” said Justice Doreen Sulyma, in Edmonton..“It can only, in my view, be interpreted as a cease and desist letter directed at Dr. Sauvageau’s testimony,” CBC reported the judge said..“I find the letter, whether written under the cloak of mistake or misunderstanding or not, constitutes intimidation.”.“Perhaps in hindsight, Mr. Denis and his counsel wishes it had been a letter of defamatory publication; however the text of the letter rebuts that.”.On Monday, Denis told court the episode was a misunderstanding, said he took responsibility and apologized. Denis was the provincial minister of justice during Sauvageau’s time in her former role.“I appreciate his apology, although it applies to what I found to be threatening behavior, rather than a misunderstanding,” said.Sulyma..“This letter indeed totally rebuts the submissions that the letter was directed at any other conduct than hers giving testimony.”.The lawyer for Denis,.Brendan Miller, is scheduled to be back in court on Thursday to set a date to make submissions..“We respect the court’s decision today but plan to appeal and bring a motion before Justice Sulyma. Our client maintains that the statement was not directed at testimony, but rather towards comments to the media,” said Miller in a statement to the Western Standard..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694.DISCLOSURE NOTE: Jonathan Denis has been retained by Western Standard New Media Corp. in certain legal proceedings.
