Law Times

Page 16 July 27, 2015 • Law Times www.lawtimesnews.com IMMIGRATION LAWYER CHARGED WITH SEX ASSAULT The Toronto Police Service has laid three charges of sexual assault against a Toronto immigration lawyer. On July 15, police arrested lawyer Richard Odeleye, 60, amid allega- tions that, on three separate occasions, he had sexually assaulted a 35-year-old woman who had visited his office in the Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue area several times. The woman had retained an immigration lawyer from December 2013 to March 2014, police said in a news release. None of the allegations have been proven in court, and Odeleye was to appear on the charges on Thursday. In the news release, police said there may be more victims. BOYS CAUGHT STREAMING ICE-CREAM THEFT ONLINE WEST WEBER, Utah — In our social media-ob- sessed society, it seems some people aren't beyond streaming their crimes while in progress. Police in Utah have scooped up two 16-year- old boys who stole tubs of ice cream from a truck while broadcasting their escapade live online, authorities said. It was a blunder that led to their capture, according to Reuters. A resident in West Weber called sheriff 's deputies to report seeing the crime streaming live on social media using Twitter's Periscope application, police said. "The investigating deputy tracked down the creator of the video, a 16-year-old male who lived in the neighbourhood," the Weber Coun- ty sheriff 's office said in a statement. The boy admitted to breaking into the truck's refrigerated trailer with a friend and stealing the contents, the sheriff 's office said. "He also confessed to posting their caper online through Periscope," it said. "The subject said he and his friend then went and randomly placed the tubs of ice cream on the front porches of some of their neighbours as a gift." The deputy spoke to the other boy, who confirmed the first boy's account, the sheriff 's office said. Police will refer both boys to juvenile court on burglary and theft charges, the statement said. TOBACCO SELLERS STRIKE BACK WITH TRAFFIC PROTEST PARIS — The big tobacco companies probably won't get much sympathy for their fight against new packaging rules, but those who sell their product hope they'll have better luck. According to Reuters, France's tobacconists are protesting plans to force cigarette compa- nies to use plain, unbranded packaging by dis- abling speed cameras. The decision to cover the cameras with bin liners is symbolic as a so-called coverup that de- prives the government of money in the same way the anti-smoking legislation will reduce tobacco sales and tax revenue, the protesters say. The first hooding took place more than a month ago, according to the group represent- ing France's tobacco bars, the Buralistes Con- federation. "It's a sign that anger is mounting," a spokes- man said. BFM TV showed a group of tobacconists, wearing white masks to hide their identities, on a nighttime radar-hooding expedition. The spokesman said authorities had arrest- ed three activists recently but had released all of them without charge. Organizers were also organizing a protest march in Paris last week, according to Reuters. Many of the tobacco outlets, with their dis- tinctive red cigar-shaped signs, are also bars and cafés. Some sell stamps and newspapers, too, but they point out that a key function of their monop- oly on tobacco sales is collecting tobacco tax with 14 billion euros (almost $20 billion) going to the French treasury every year. France is one of four European Union coun- tries that plan to follow Australia's example and impose plain cigarette packaging in May next year. A European Union law passed last year mandates that health warnings cover 65 per cent of the front and back of cigarette packs and 50 per cent of the sides. The remaining space is available for brand- ing, but the law allows member states to im- pose plain-packaging rules when " justified on grounds of public health, are proportionate, and do not lead to hidden barriers to trade be- tween member states." Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco have sued the British gov- ernment over its plan to require plain packag- ing, arguing it would rob them of their intel- lectual property and restrict trade. LT The title insurer that puts you front row, centre Putting the legal community front and centre has made us the #1 choice with Canadian lawyers for over a decade. Stewart Title does not support programs that reduce or eliminate the lawyer's role in real estate transactions. For more information call (888) 667-5151 or visit www.stewart.ca. Untitled-2 1 7/19/11 12:31:45 PM u Bizarre Briefs By Viola James u The InsIde story LFO FELLOWSHIP AWARDED The Law Foundation of On- tario has awarded a Commu- nity Leadership in Justice fellow- ship to Bruce Campbell of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Campbell, executive director of the think-tank, will use the fellowship to look into the issue of regulatory failure associated with public disasters, specifi- cally the train derailment in Lac- Mégantic, Que., in 2013. The foundation established the fellowship in 2006 to allow public-sector leaders and those dedicated to law reform or legal advocacy to spend all or part of an academic year at an Ontario law school, university or college. In Campbell's case, the Univer- sity of Ottawa's common and civil law sections will host him during the coming year. "Research into regulatory negligence at this level and in such depth is rare," said Paul Schabas, chairman of the foun- dation's board of trustees. "Mr. Campbell's relation- ship with community members in Lac‐Mégantic affords him a unique opportunity to bring the voices of those affected by such disasters to the forefront and is extremely important to the furthering of access to justice and its intersection with policy work." EX-LAWYER'S LICENSING APPLICATION REJECTED The Law Society Tribunal has rejected former lawyer Roland William Paskar's application to practise law again. In a good-character decision on July 15, the hearing division dismissed Paskar's application for a licence to practise after the Law Society of Upper Can- ada allowed him to resign in 2000. At the time, the discipline committee of Convocation found he had allowed himself to be a dupe of several individuals, practised law while suspended, and failed to produce books and records requested by the law so- ciety. The case also included al- legations of misleading a client and the court; acting without instructions; and failing to ac- count to a client for trust funds. In applying to practise again, Paskar said he planned to work as an employee or associate at a law firm. Despite several character wit- nesses who made submissions in Paskar's favour, the panel, chaired by Bencher Raj Anand, rejected his application. Among other things, it found he had continued to practise law in sev- eral instances despite his earlier resignation. "Mr. Paskar's conduct has been impeached," wrote Bench- er Barbara Murchie for the panel. "He has not established by evidence of trustworthy persons, especially members of the profes- sion and persons with whom he has been associated since 2000, that he is man of integrity and good character. He provided sev- eral letters of reference and three witnesses. The evidence showed that he has helped several people and is well-regarded by them, but this must be weighed against the overwhelming evidence we have heard that establishes unauthor- ized practice, lack of candour and integrity, and inappropriate behaviour." LT Richard Odeleye "I know! I know! But our firm's corporate rebranding design consultant is just back from her vacation."

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