Sean Adams

Sean Adams is the Roman Catholic Cornwall lawyer and member of the Knights of Columbus who provided independent legal advice to David Silmser in signing the illegal $32,000 pay-off and gag order.  Silmser alleged he had been sexually abused by Father Charles MacDonald.  The pay-off was orchestrated by the diocese, Bishop Eugene Larocque and Father Charles MacDonald.

Adams claims he wasn’t aware it was criminal to obstruct justice by offering a pay-off in exchange for halting a police investigation.

Three lawyers were involved in the final execution of the deal:  Malcolm MacDonald, Jacques Leduc and Adams.  Malcolm MacDonald (now deceased), was eventually charged with obstruction of justice. He received and absolute discharge.  Shortly thereafter he was charged with sex abuse.  He died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before standing trial.

Sean Adams has been an active fund raisier for the Children's Treatment Centre.

Sean Adams application for standing and funding at the Cornwall Public Inquiry 

 06 April 2009:  Gervais to speak at CTC breakfast

23 May 2008: Minister to join Ceremonial Walk on Saturday

16 April 2008:  Law day is Thursday 

28 February 2008: City lawyer decides not to return to inquiry

16 January 2008: Lawyer demands client recall; Motion says Adams wasn't treated fairly

12 December 2007: Identity of inquiry witness should not be protected 

07 December 2007: Sean Adams gets standing at inquiry 

17 November 2007: Lawyer's faith solid despite allegations

16 November 2007: Frustrations boil to the top

16 November 2007: “Adams Wraps Up Testimony At Inquiry” and “Was Adams The Right Lawyer?”   

Documents of Interest

The Illegal Pay-Off

02 September 1993: Full Release and Undertaking not to Disclose, the infamous illegal $32,000 pay-off (According to Silmser $10,000 was paid by the diocese, $10,000 by Father Charles MacDonald, and $12,000 by insurance) SIN number has been redacted.

02 September 1993:  Certificate of Independent Legal Advice, statement of Sean Adams signed by David Silmser that Adams has explained the contents of the Full Release and Undertaking Not to Disclose to Silmser and that Silmser understands.  (Silmser has testified that he later paid Adams $400 cash)  

02 September 1993: Malcolm MacDonald letter to Sean Adams re cheque for $32,000 to be held in escrow until David Silmser advises police he does not want to proceed with charges.

03 September 1993: Malcolm MacDonald (lawyer for Father Charles MacDonald) letter to Det. Sgt. Luc Brunet (Cornwall police) containing copy of Certificate of Independent Legal Advice “prepared by Sean Adams, solicitor for David Silmser, and signed by David Silmser)  

09 September 1993: Lucien Brunet to Murray MacDonald

14 September 1993: Crown attorney Murray MacDonald reply to Lucien Brunet. 

29 September 1993: David Silmser hand-written note telling Cornwall police “I wish that this matter against Charles MacDonald be close.”