THUNDER BAY -- The provincial body governing legal professionals has suspended the license of prominent local lawyer, Alexander "Sandy" Zaitzeff as it investigates allegations he engaged in professional misconduct.
The Upper Canada Law Society filed a motion for Zaitzeff's legal license to be provisionally suspended at a tribunal in Toronto on Dec. 22.
As of Dec. 23, Zaitzeff can not practice law until criminal charges brought against him in November and December are resolved. Those charges include allegations of sexual wrongdoing involving a minor.
Zaitzeff also faces two counts of sexual assault, five counts of assault, one count each of invitation to sexual touching, sexual interference, mischief and breach of recognizance.
Zaitzeff was denied bail in an Ontario Court of Justice hearing on Dec. 6.
"There are reasonable grounds to believe that there is a significant risk of harm to members of the public or to the public interest in the administration of justice if an order is not made suspending the license of the Respondent," the motion reads.
"The fact that the Respondent is charged with serious criminal offences, specifically sexual offences, harms public confidence in the ability of the Law Society to govern the profession in the public interest if the Respondent's license is not suspended pending a determination of those charges."
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
