Judge Paul Currie Retires Before Facing Discipline for Misconduct Allegations

A senior Ontario judge, Paul Currie, has retired from the bench, sidestepping a pending penalty hearing after being found guilty of serious judicial misconduct. The 71-year-old Justice retired just days before the Ontario Judicial Council was set to determine appropriate disciplinary action for multiple allegations, including sexual assault and physical harm.

Judicial Misconduct Findings

The Ontario Judicial Council, responsible for investigating provincially-appointed judges, had concluded that Currie committed misconduct in a series of incidents in 2023. The panel determined that he sexually assaulted a woman in January, then pushed her in a separate incident three months later, breaking her wrist. Additional findings included driving under the influence on multiple occasions, delaying his surrender to authorities despite an outstanding warrant, and attempting to discourage the complainant from participating in the investigation.

Currie has consistently denied the allegations, stating during the hearing, “I did not rape her. I would not rape her or anybody.”

Unlike criminal court proceedings, where guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, the judicial council operates on a lower threshold—proof on a balance of probabilities, meaning the panel must determine if it is more likely than not that the misconduct occurred. Currie faced potential sanctions ranging from reprimand and suspension to a recommendation for removal from the judiciary.

Controversial Timing and Career Implications

Currie’s retirement effectively ended the council’s jurisdiction over the complaint, preventing any formal penalties. At the time of his suspension in 2023, he was serving as the regional senior justice of the central west region, overseeing Brampton and Milton courthouses. He had also been shortlisted for consideration as chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice that same year.

Criminal charges against Currie, including assault and assault causing bodily harm, were laid in April 2023 but were withdrawn two months later by a Crown attorney, citing no reasonable prospect of conviction. Throughout the judicial council hearing, both Currie and the complainant testified, and the panel noted that her account of the incidents was consistent and aligned with evidence, while Currie’s testimony contained inconsistencies.

Allegations and Testimony

The complainant testified that in January 2023, Currie sexually assaulted her while she was sleeping and later physically harmed her in April, leading her to call 911. She emphasized that her goal was never to have him criminally charged but rather to seek help for his apparent anger issues. Currie described the January incident as a mutual struggle and denied causing the April injury, claiming the woman fell accidentally during an argument.

The full reasoning behind the discipline panel’s guilty finding is expected to be released shortly, highlighting the stark contrast between the panel’s conclusions and Currie’s retirement, which allowed him to escape formal accountability.