THUNDER BAY — The Law Society of Ontario has served Thunder Bay lawyer Alexander (Sandy) Zaitzeff with notice it is applying for a hearing into whether he has engaged in professional misconduct and/or conduct unbecoming a licensee.
In December 2016 the society suspended his licence provisionally after Thunder Bay Police charged him with numerous criminal offences.
In April 2018, Zaitzeff pleaded guilty to one count of sexual touching involving a minor, two counts of assault, and possessing a firearm without a licence.
Ten other charges were withdrawn.
Zaitzeff was sentenced to 15 months probation after the judge credited him with six months of pre-trial custody.
He also cited his apparent remorse and the absence of any criminal record.
In a notice filed this month, the LSO detailed allegations of professional misconduct:
- in or around September and October 2016, the Respondent engaged in professional misconduct...by communicating in a manner that was offensive or inconsistent with the propert tone of a professional communication from a lawyer, in that he sent several emails with inappropriate content to various recipients including counsel on an ongoing litigation matter
- the respondent failed to report to the LSO, as soon as reasonably practicable, that – on or around November 21, 2016 he was charged with indictable criminal offences, [and] on or around November 30,2016 he was charged with breaching a Recognizance of Bail which he had entered into on November 21, 2016, and another indictable criminal offence
The notice also detailed allegations of conduct unbecoming a licensee:
- when he pled guilty to and was convicted of invitation to sexual touching of a minor
- when he pled guilty to and was convicted of common assault on a minor
- when he pled guilty to and was convicted of one additional charge of common assault
- when he pled guilty to and was convicted of one count of unauthorized possession of a firearm
Zaitzeff's licence remains suspended pending the outcome of the hearing.
