Ottawa law firm James Bowie billed with harassment, extortion, uttering threats

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Law enforcement have billed Ottawa prison defence law firm James Bowie with harassment, extortion and two counts of uttering threats to a woman.

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Bowie, 39, appeared in courtroom Monday afternoon where by he formally faced the prison prices following he was arrested by Ottawa law enforcement Sunday.

Law enforcement reported in a media release that they consider there could be other victims and circulated a picture of Bowie, “as he may possibly have employed aliases,” law enforcement reported.

Bowie has also been named in a $325,000 lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and defamation filed by a former shopper and in a criticism to the Regulation Modern society of Ontario.

The complainant in the felony case is not the identical lady who is at the moment suing Bowie.

The identities of both of those women are shielded by a customary publication ban.

A assertion of assert submitted in Ontario Exceptional Court docket by the previous consumer, a 29-year-outdated lady battling with funds, stated Bowie available a “deal” that would have her doing oral sexual intercourse each individual two weeks to spend off her legal invoice.

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The previous customer was “deeply disturbed” by the proposition, according to the assertion of claim.

The lawsuit also features accusations of breach of assurance and allegations that Bowie threatened his previous consumer to preserve tranquil.

The allegations contained in the lawsuit match the narrative this newspaper beforehand noted right after the former client filed a criticism with the Law Society of Ontario.

Bowie was suspended previous yr for professional misconduct and was purchased to stop practising law right away until finally he responses totally and appropriately to general public problems that he gave very poor services and ghosted customers when they demanded a refund.

Bowie also practised law though less than suspension in 2022. Bowie experienced multiple small-phrase administrative suspensions, in accordance to an affidavit filed by a legislation culture investigator.

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While those complaints were addressed at a disciplinary hearing past yr, Bowie is now waiting for the benefits of yet another law society investigation about allegations that he presented legal solutions for sex, amongst other allegations.

Those allegations have not been examined in court.

Bowie was unveiled from custody Monday afternoon underneath a range of situations and was purchased to stay with a surety and submit a bond. He is prohibited from possessing weapons and is prohibited from driving though his licence is less than suspension.

He is thanks to return to court docket on Could 30.

— With files from Gary Dimmock

ahelmer@postmedia.com