Lawyer reprimanded over nude photo affair

A Winnipeg lawyer has been given a reprimand afterpleading guiltyat a disciplinary hearing toallcharges against him, including sexual harassment of a client, conflict of interest and failing to act with integrity.

Jack King appeared before the Law Society of Manitoba on Monday to face the charges in connection with attempting to pressure a man, Alexander Chapman,to have sex with his wife, Lori Douglas.

The law society's decision to reprimandKing means he will have a permanent blemish on his professional record. But a three-person disciplinary panel declined to suspend his law licence.

King must also paycosts of$13,650 to the regulatory body to cover the expense of its investigation.

Speaking tothedisciplinary panel Monday morning, King offered apologies tohis friends, family and fellow members of the bar.

"Most of all I apologize to my dear wife, who privately indulged my strange tastes," he said, adding she isinnocent in the matter relating to Chapman.

"To my wife I can never apologize enough."

King gave sexually explicit photos of Douglas to Chapmanin 2003 and tried, but failed, to gethimto have sex with her.

Douglas was named a judge two years later.

King has admitted to sharing the photos, buthis lawyer has said his client was depressed at the time and acting without his wife's knowledge.

Public not at risk: panel

The law society could haveimposed a range of penalties, including revokingKing's licence to practise law.

Lawyersfor the law society andfor King madea joint submission and recommend that the disciplinary panel not disbar King.

Instead, the society's lawyer sought a fine of up to $5,000.

King's lawyer Bill Gange specifically asked the panel to issue a reprimand, saying his clienthas paid his dues.

King withdrew from practising law for 10 months, sought counselling andhas had no similar complaints against him sincereturning to practice in 2004.

The panel said King took responsibility for his actions and sought help. The public is not placed at risk by him, the panel ruled.

Meanwhile, Douglas is being investigated by the Canadian Judicial Council and has stopped hearing cases until the review is complete.