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Friday, April 5, 2013

Legal Arguments Made At Sentencing Hearing For Saint John Lawyer

Suspended Saint John lawyer Rod Gillis will be sentenced June 20th in Bathurst for attempting to obstruct justice. 

A sentencing hearing was held in Moncton where the legal arguments were made before Judge Irwin Lampert who found the 66 year old Gillis guilty back in January. 

Prosecutor Peter Craig is recommending a prison term from 30 to 36 months for what he calls breach of trust by a member of the bar and officer of the court. 

The defense is asking for a conditional sentence that would be served in the community. 

Gillis was charged in connection with how he represented former Liberal M-L-A and House Speaker Frank Branch in his legal battle with the North Shore Forest Products Marketing Board which included both a criminal prosecution and civil lawsuit. Branch was charged with fraud and extortion. He eventually pleaded guilty to fraud over 5 thousand dollars and was sentenced to house arrest as well as ordered to pay restitution.