- "Lawyer guilty
of perjury"
- Judge rejects Maroon's
explanation of documents
By Don Lajoie, Windsor Star
Staff Reporter, December 03, 2003
A Superior Court judge has
found Windsor lawyer Wendi Maroon guilty of perjury for signing
and filing a false affidavit in a divorce case.
Justice Johanne Morrissette
found Maroon guilty Tuesday on two charges stemming from a falsely-sworn
affidavit filed in November 1999 and a subsequent attempt to
cover up the crime. She said the defence Maroon gave at her trial
could not be believed.
"The Crown has proven
the accused guilty on both counts," stated Morrissette.
"It's a sad day for the legal profession to see a lawyer,
who wanted to do good, become caught up in a web of coverup and
fail to adhere to the fundamental code of conduct."
Morrissette told the court
her decision was largely based upon "compelling evidence"
contained in telephone records which convinced her that Maroon's
version of events was not credible.
The defence suggested the lawyer's
client, faced with a deadline to have divorce documents seeking
greater access to her children signed before a lawyer, had driven
fromKingston, Ont. to Windsor Nov. 17, 1999, arriving at 1:30
p.m. to sign the affidavit in Maroon's office.
But phone records showed that
the client, Sharon Bonnici, placed a long-distance call fromKingston
to her ex-husband in Windsor at about 7 p.m. that same evening.
Morrissette said she believed it would have been "impossible"
for Bonnici to make such a return trip ? a six- to seven-hour
drive each way ? and be back in time to place the long-distance
call.
Morrissette said she believed
the Crown's contention that the document was simply signed without
a legal witness and returned through the mail to Maroon's office.
When the lawyer representing
Bonnici's ex-husband challenged the validity of the affidavit,
Maroon had a second affidavit drawn up in which her client swore
she had been inWindsor on the day in question.
But, after a falling-out between
Maroon and her client, Bonnici claimed the lawyer coerced her
into going along with the falsehoods.
She agreed because she was
afraid she would lose access to her children. Bonnici said.
Morrissette said, despite some
questionable testimony by Crown witnesses, she had no reasonable
doubts about Maroon's guilt. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled
for Jan. 9.
Maroon's defence lawyer, Andrew
Bradie0, declined comment until after the sentencing.
Maroon stood quietly, looking
straight ahead, as the verdict was announced. After adjournment
she hugged her lawyer and left the courtroom.
© Copyright 2003 Windsor
Star
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