Justice Michel Girouard under scrutiny for alleged purchase of cocaine
Surveillance video played at inquiry shows judge handing over money to a now-convicted drug dealer
Justice Michel Girouard, a former defence lawyer from Abitibi, Que., is appearing before a panel of the Canadian Judicial Council for allegedly buying cocaine two weeks before his appointment to the Quebec Superior Court in 2010.
A video of the alleged cocaine transaction between the judge and a now-convicted drug dealer was shown at Girouard's inquiry, taking place in Quebec City, today.
The video was recorded in September 2010 in the back office of one of Girouard's clients, Yvon Lamontagne, who owned a Val d'Or Videotron store.
It shows Girouard walking into the office with his hand in his left breast pocket.
He slides some cash under the desk pad.
Lamontagne reaches into his front pant pocket and then hands over a small packet to Girouard.
At the inquiry, Lamontagne testified he gave Girouard a receipt on a post-it note for money Girouard owed him for some movies.
Lamontagne, who has been in prison for the last four and a half years after pleading guilty to selling drugs, said he didn't give Girouard drugs.
He testified that Girouard often called to get new movie releases ahead of other customers.
Lamontagne said he and Girouard have known each other for about 20 years, adding that Girouard was his advisor and previous lawyer.
Girouard's defence lawyers presented a statement by Quebec's Chief Justice François Rolland.
In the statement, Rolland said he saw the video and that without any sound on the video, one cannot confirm Girouard purchased drugs.