Lawyer in Caledonia lawsuit arrested for misappropriation of funds

A Hamilton lawyer is facing a number of charges including theft for allegedly misappropriating funds that were meant for the plaintiffs in the Caledonia class action lawsuit.

John Wallace Findlay was arrested on Wednesday and charged with criminal breach of trust, theft and fraud.

The 64-year-old was the plantiff’s counsel when the class action lawsuit against a number of parties, including the OPP and the province of Ontario, was settled for $20 million dollars back in 2011.

Findlay was responsible for the management and distribution of the settlement monies. After the original disbursements, there was approximately $2.2 million in reserve funds in 2013.

In May 2017, police say Findlay reported himself to the Law Society of Ontario, after having used the trust money.

Findlay was released on a promise to appear and is scheduled to be back in court on Sept. 25.

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