WINNIPEG - A letter written by Jack King to the Manitoba Law Society reveals he and his wife met her would-be suitor for drinks, but that she had no idea of what her husband had planned for her.
In a letter King wrote to the law society Aug. 12, responding to Alex Chapman's complaint, King wrote: "Mr. Chapman and I did meet for drinks with my wife at Earl's on one occasion."
King wrote he had a friendly relationship with Chapman, who "often talked about his sexual conquests," a claim Chapman vehemently denies.
"We always butted heads," Chapman said Wednesday.
In the same letter, King admits, "I did have discussions with Mr. Chapman about having an affair with my wife."
Douglas, who went on to become a Queen's Bench Associate Chief Justice, "knew nothing about these discussions," King wrote.
Law Society CEO Allan Finebilt confirmed Wednesday his organization received a complaint about the matter several weeks ago.
Fineblit said the complaint is still "in the investigatory stages."
If it is determined the complaint is serious enough to merit formal discipline, a hearing will be convened before a panel of two lawyers and one public representative. If found guilty, disciplinary measures can range from a reprimand to disbarment.
Chapman claimed the law society was aware of the allegations in 2003. Justice sources say the allegations were well-known in certain legal circles.
Fineblit would not confirm whether the law society was previously aware of the allegations.
"That information will come out when the investigation is concluded and if charges are laid," he said.
Fineblit said the law society does, on occasion, become aware of allegations without a complaint being filed. While the law society has the jurisdiction to look into a matter absent of a formal complaint, it is more difficult, he said.
If a formal complaint isn't filed, it may suggest the complainant has resolved the matter to his satisfaction, Fineblit said.
