SQLFusion - Exemplary record results in absolute discharge for city lawyer: Flanagan

Exemplary Record Results In Absolute Discharge For City Lawyer-Flanagan

AM 1220

January 09, 2009 — Why did a Cornwall lawyer receive an absolute discharge for attempting to obstruct justice in a child sex abuse case? Crown attorney Curt Flanagan says Malcolm MacDonald received an absolute discharge because he pled guilty to the charge and had an exemplary background. An absolute discharge means the accused is regarded as not being convicted of the crime. MacDonald pled guilty in 1995 to attempting to obstruct justice after arranging a $32,000 settlement and advising an alleged victim to drop his criminal complaint against a city priest. Flanagan told the Cornwall Public Inquiry today MacDonald made a "gross error". (Hear audio clip below) Hearings continue Monday at 9:30.

[Transcript of audio clip: “I made the comment on the record, you’d think he’d know better, in his position, with respect to it, on the one hand. I think I phrased it that way.

On the other hand, he was awfully sloppy and -- to put it in the vernacular, stupid, to -- given his background, not to realize that, if he didn’t realize that it was an illegal act.”]