SealingTheChamber
StarWitnessVille
Erik Bornman(n), one of three former principals in the now defunct lobbyshop called 'Pilothouse' was supposed to be the prosecution's star witness at the RailGate trial.
Mr. Bornman(n), however, was never called to testify given the trial's very abrupt, six million dollar-assisted, ending.
The following is taken directly from the 'Statement Of Facts' that was agreed to by both the prosecution and the defence, with the court's blessing, in the wake of that abrupt end:
Did you get that?
Just in case you did not, I'll type out the money shot (literally), again, in red:
"These payments ACCORDING TO BORNMAN were for political favours and support...."
In other words, it was agreed by all party's concerned, based on his very statements to the prosecution that were backed by physical evidence collected by the RCMP, that Mr. Bornman(n) had bribed Mess'rs Basi and Virk.
So.
Given all that, imagine our surprise when, yesterday, first BC Mary and then, soon thereafter, Bill Tieleman reported this:
Despite admitting to bribing ex-B.C. government officials David Basi and Bob Virk in exchange for confidential information on the 2003 sale of B.C. Rail, Erik Bornmann can become an Ontario lawyer.
The controversial decision by the Law Society of Upper Canada grants Bornmann the “good character” needed to be licensed as a lawyer....
But here's the thing.
It was a split decision by the Law Society's panel.
Because one of the three members dissented.
And, surprise, that member was the only one of three who was not a lawyer:
Panel member (and non-lawyer) Andrew Oliver wrote in his dissenting opinion that: “Bornmann’s criminal misconduct was serious, and, apparently, long standing.”
“There was no honour among thieves: Bornmann compounded his criminal activity by betraying the very people he had bribed,” Oliver says, referring to Basi and Virk.
The majority decision written by (lawyers) Thomas Conway and Mary Louise Dickson agrees Bornmann’s “misconduct was serious” but that his “remorse was genuine and profound,” leading them to believe he has been rehabilitated and “is presently of good character.....
Go figure.
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6 comments:
Yeah, go figure!?!
"Good character"!???
How can that panel grant Bornmann the title without vomiting as they do so?
On the day a man with truly "good character" died. I mean Jack Layton!
If Bornmann can be a man of "good character" the scale of "good character" has been warped forever.
My pity goes to Bornmann's future clients.
Thanks for this, RossK.
I found it nearly impossible to write about Bornman(n) after the news of Jack Layton's death.
But Bill Tieleman did an excellent Bornman(n) column, too.
Meantime, as I watched CBC Newsworld bearing down on the Jack Layton story, I began to feel better.
CBC came on strong, telling the Layton story from many different points of view, but always with that upbeat, unbeatable colour.
Something important did happen yesterday. We found out that we still have a National Broadcaster capable of understanding us; it was because of CBC that Canada was able to see it, feel it, talk about it, and then gather together to remember. Something which never could happen with a private-for-profit network. The Layton story is still going on ... and, I think, good will come from this.
I love it that Jack Layton's funeral on Saturday will be open to the public at Roy Thomson Hall. Not "Lord" Thomson ... but ol' Roy from Timmins, Ontario, wasn't it? Best concert Hall in Canada's biggest city, and broadcast on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
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Does this mean that if ever BC Rail comes to be investigated, Erik Bornman(n) will not be required to swear on a Bible to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the TRUTH?
Points taken Anon-At-The-Top and Mary.
______
Anon-Directly-Above
Heckfire.
I'd also like to hear the whole story on the different surname spelling(s).
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copy/paste this into Google:
Erik Bornman and his brother Roy Bornmann
Thanks NVG--
Alternatively, folks who are interested can head on over to Mr. T.'s invaluable RailGate A to Z 'Who's Who' and slide on down to the brothers Bornman(n).
It is here.
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