An Ontario judge who wore a hat in court bearing a slogan used by U.S. President Donald Trump is facing a disciplinary hearing today.
Justice Bernd Zabel is before an Ontario Judicial Council panel in Toronto to face allegations of judicial misconduct over the November 2016 incident.
The council says it香蕉视频直播檚 alleged Zabel wore a baseball cap with the slogan 香蕉视频直播滿ake America Great Again香蕉视频直播� in court on Nov. 9 香蕉视频直播� the day after Trump won the U.S. election 香蕉视频直播� and made comments about the election, 香蕉视频直播渉is views and those of his judicial colleagues.香蕉视频直播�
Zabel later apologized publicly for his behaviour, calling it a 香蕉视频直播渓apse in judgment,香蕉视频直播� but the council says it香蕉视频直播檚 alleged his statement 香蕉视频直播漺as not consistent with comments he made in court香蕉视频直播� on the day of the incident.
Zabel香蕉视频直播檚 lawyer, Ricardo Federico, says his client made the 香蕉视频直播渂iggest mistake of his judicial career香蕉视频直播� when he wore the hat, but maintained the judge did not intend to make a political statement.
香蕉视频直播淛ustice Zabel wore the hat for less than one minute香蕉视频直播t was a joke,香蕉视频直播� he told the panel. 香蕉视频直播淗e will never wear that hat in court again.香蕉视频直播�
An agreed statement of facts shows Zabel admits his actions were contrary to the standard of conduct expected of a judge and constitute judicial misconduct.
The judicial council says it received 81 complaints about Zabel香蕉视频直播檚 behaviour on that day.
If Zabel is found guilty, the panel may impose a number of sanctions or recommend he lose his job.
The Ontario Court of Justice said in January that Zabel, who is based in Hamilton, was no longer being assigned cases.
A Hamilton city councillor, who said the incident raised concerns about Zabel香蕉视频直播檚 impartiality in the courtroom, has called for the judge to step down or be removed from the bench.
Paola Loriggio , The Canadian Press
