Quebec judge apologizes for after-party insults
Magistrates council involved police in hunting down source of leaked information about complaint
A Quebec court judge accused of behaving badly after an office Christmas party has apologized in front of the the body that hears complaints against judges, the Conseil de la magistrature — or magistrates council.
Justice Suzanne Vadboncoeur is the subject of a complaint filed by a constable at the Montreal courthouse, who said Vadboncoeur insulted him.
The incident took place in the parking garage of the courthouse in December. The complaint said Vadboncoeur grew impatient when the garage door wasn't opening. She allegedly called the constables on-hand "incompetent" and "thick."
In offering an apology Friday to a session of the council, Vadboncoeur said she had three glasses of wine and a coffee at the party.
Police seize reporter's laptop
The complaint against Vadboncoeur first came to light in a story by the Journal de Montreal in June.
After the story appeared, the council filed a complaint with the Sûreté du Québec. The council claimed information about the complaint was obtained by illegally hacking into its website.
On Wednesday, police seized a laptop belonging to the Journal's justice reporter, Michaël Nguyen.
The federation of Quebec journalists condemned the seizure for attempting to reveal a journalist's sources.
The National Assembly passed a unanimous motion on Thursday, also affirming the importance of protecting sources.