Embattled Ottawa lawyer facing criminal charges
James Bowie, 39, is facing charges of uttering threats, extortion and harassment. (Ottawa Police Service/handout)
A prominent Ottawa lawyer who was accused late last year of sexual misconduct is now facing criminal charges.
Ottawa police said James Bowie, 39, was arrested Sunday and is now charged with two counts of uttering threats of death or bodily harm, and one count each of extortion and harassment by combination of prohibited conduct.
Police said in a news release that investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information to come forward. Police released his photo because he may have used aliases, they said.
"Investigators will respect a victim’s wish to pursue or not pursue an investigation or criminal charges. The reporting of incidents of violence against women to police is key in identifying suspects and determining crime trends," police said.
Bowie appeared in court Monday. His lawyer told CTV News Ottawa that the current criminal charges are unrelated to any complaint before the Law Society of Ontario. Bowie has pleaded not guilty.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
Bowie rose to prominence on social media by chronicling the court appearances of various 'Freedom Convoy' organizers last year.
CTV News Ottawa reported in November that a woman had accused Bowie of offering legal services in exchange for sexual favours, making a complaint to the Law Society of Ontario. Bowie insisted the accusations were false.
In December, CTV News Ottawa reported that nine women had detailed a pattern of behaviour by Bowie in which they received repeated and unwanted illicit messages, offers of cocaine, and attempts to solicit sexual favours.
The Law Society of Ontario later suspended Bowie's law licence over a failure to produce documents in three unrelated investigations. He was also ordered to pay the law society a $5,000 bill within one year.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Ottawa Top Stories
-
YEAR-IN-REVIEWYEAR-IN-REVIEW Top stories in Ottawa in 2024
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Richard Perry, record producer behind 'You're So Vain' and other hits, dies at 82
Richard Perry, a hitmaking record producer with a flair for both standards and contemporary sounds whose many successes included Carly Simon’s 'You’re So Vain,' Rod Stewart’s 'The Great American Songbook' series and a Ringo Starr album featuring all four Beatles, died Tuesday. He was 82.
Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants and bounties for six activists including two Canadians
Hong Kong police on Tuesday announced a fresh round of arrest warrants for six activists based overseas, with bounties set at $1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to their arrests.
Read Trudeau's Christmas message
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full.
Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano
One of the world's most active volcanoes spewed lava into the air for a second straight day on Tuesday.
Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus
Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination.
What is flagpoling? A new ban on the practice is starting to take effect
Immigration measures announced as part of Canada's border response to president-elect Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what's known as 'flagpoling.'
Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada.
Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights
American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive.
King Charles III is set to focus on healthcare workers in his traditional Christmas message
King Charles III is expected to use his annual Christmas message to highlight health workers, at the end of a year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer.
Atlantic
-
Two deaths in Truro ruled homicides: RCMP
Police in Nova Scotia are investigating after two deaths in Truro, N.S., over the weekend have been ruled homicides.
-
Snow forecast through Christmas Eve for parts of the Maritimes
Parts of the Maritimes that were hit by a weekend snowstorm are in for more of the white stuff this Christmas Eve.
-
'Can I taste it?': Rare $55,000 bottle of spirits for sale in Moncton, N.B.
A rare bottle of Scotch whisky is for sale in downtown Moncton, N.B., with a price tag reading $55,000.
Toronto
-
‘Visible presence’: Toronto police meet with Jewish community after girls’ school hit with gunfire for 3rd time
Toronto police say they’ll be keeping a watchful eye on a Jewish girls’ school that was hit with gunfire for a third time this year.
-
Man stabbed downtown Toronto on Christmas Eve, suspect in custody
A man was rushed to the hospital after being stabbed on Christmas Eve in downtown Toronto.
-
Suspect charged in killing of senior found dead in North York driveway
Toronto police have charged a suspect in the fatal shooting of a 69-year-old grandfather who was found in the driveway of a North York home earlier this month.
Montreal
-
Snowfall means a white Christmas, but also traffic woes across southern Quebec roads
A heavy snowfall has guaranteed much of Quebec a white Christmas, but it has also sent cars skidding off the province's roads during the busy holiday travel period.
-
Young woman struck and killed by vehicle in Quebec City
A pedestrian in her 20s died this afternoon following a collision with a vehicle on boulevard Pie XII in the Sainte-Foy area of Quebec City.
-
Montreal homeless centres lacking for space during cold snap
Despite a cold snap, some Montreal homeless centres are being forced to turn people away as beds fill up.
Northern Ontario
-
Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus
Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination.
-
Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway
Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, Santa Claus' journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway.
-
Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada.
Windsor
-
Mother daughter duo pursuing university dreams at the same time
For one University of Windsor student, what is typically a chance to gain independence from her parents has become a chance to spend more time with her biggest cheerleader — her mom.
-
'We may have to look at other sensible locations': Where will Windsor’s new H4 be located?
The search for a site to house Windsor’s new Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4) is back underway after the city scrapped plans at 700 Wellington Avenue on Monday.
-
Sandwich Street officially opens after six months of construction
A more than 2-kilometre stretch of Sandwich Street near the University of Windsor had been under construction since mid-June.
London
-
Palace Theatre boarded up over the holidays due to recent damage
A break in, theft, and continued property damage has led to the boarding up of the Palace Theatre over the Christmas holidays.
-
Knights stars ready to help Canada chase gold at World Juniors
Three London Knights are on the roster, including Easton Cowan, who scored a hat-trick in Canada’s first exhibition game.
-
London fire responds to Wellington Road collision, contains fuel leak
London Fire Department was on the scene of a two vehicle collision involving a delivery truck on Tuesday morning.
Kitchener
-
Why holiday shopping may feel a little different this year
At around 11 a.m. Tuesday at Kitchener’s Fairview Park Mall, there were plenty of parking spots available. It’s a sign that maybe this year, the rush for last minute gifts is no more.
-
How to stay safe during the holiday season
As fun festivities begin, the Canadian government, SickKids and fire departments in the Waterloo Region are reminding families of the higher safety risks during the holiday season.
-
What’s open and what’s closed over the holidays
A detailed guide to what’s open and closed between Dec. 24 and New Year's Day.
Barrie
-
Here's when Santa is coming down your chimney, live tracking underway in Simcoe County
The spirit of Christmas is in the air as Santa Claus begins his lasting journey to deliver presents to children around the region.
-
Help this missing pup make it home for Christmas
The Ontario SPCA in Barrie needs your help bringing this handsome pup home to his family before Christmas.
-
Last minute shoppers braced for chaos but found calm on Christmas Eve
Many shoppers were out on Christmas Eve, and while the rush was expected to be chaotic, many found the day surprisingly manageable.
Winnipeg
-
'They gambled with trees': Cutting down trees resumes in Lemay Forest
The next chapter of the Lemay Forest saga has unfolded as the sounds of trees coming down could be heard Monday.
-
One person dead, another injured following Monday night house fire
One person has died and another is in unstable condition following a house fire Monday evening.
-
Winnipeg police investigating string of packages being stolen
The Winnipeg Police Service is investigating a string of package thefts in the Transcona area.
Calgary
-
Speed, alcohol possible factors in Glenmore Trail crash that left man, 18, dead: police
Speed and alcohol are possible factors in a fatal crash on Glenmore Trail on Monday night, according to police.
-
Person in critical condition after downtown Calgary fire
A person was sent to hospital in life-threatening condition after a fire in downtown Calgary on Tuesday morning.
-
4 dogs, 1 chinchilla dead in northeast Calgary duplex fire
A family is out of their home and has lost most of their pets after a fire in northeast Calgary on Christmas Eve.
Edmonton
-
Edmonton apartment building boarded up after evacuation order from the city
An Edmonton apartment building that was evacuated for safety reasons on Monday now sits boarded up.
-
Panthers' Hubbard among NFL's elite running backs as he joins exclusive Canadian club
Chuba Hubbard has reached 1,000 yards rushing this NFL campaign, joining a handful of others near the top of the league stats sheet, but also to become just the second Canadian to reach the mark in a season.
-
Educational support staff rejects new wage offer, strike looms
Educational assistants and support staff at Edmonton's largest school board are once again in a position to strike.
Regina
-
This miniature village is a Christmas tradition for one Regina family
A miniature Christmas village made of decorative houses and buildings has been slowly growing in a Regina home.
-
Here are the most borrowed books of 2024, according to Regina Public Library
The Regina Public Library (RPL) has shared its most popular books just in time for the new year.
-
City of Melville, CUPE reach impasse in bargaining
After several months of stalled negotiations between the City of Melville and CUPE 456 – the two sides have now officially reached an impasse.
Saskatoon
-
'People prop the doors open': Saskatoon resident concerned as people shelter in her stairwell
With the number of homeless people in Saskatoon at an unprecedented high, it’s no surprise people are looking for places to warm up.
-
A separate Ukrainian Christmas may be a thing of the past
There might be more households than usual celebrating this Christmas Eve, as many Ukrainians around the world are opting to abandon the orthodox calendar.
-
Lloydminster man killed in Christmas Eve highway crash: RCMP
A 24-year-old Lloydminster man was killed Tuesday after his pickup truck collided with a semi.
Vancouver
-
BC Ferries cancels many Christmas Day sailings, says others 'at risk'
The stormy weather in the forecast for B.C.'s South Coast is already disrupting many Christmas Day travel plans.
-
Read Trudeau's Christmas message
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full.
-
'We can give the gift of life': B.C. cancer survivor donates blood amid Canadian shortage
Canadian Blood Services is calling on the country to help double the number of donations this winter.
Vancouver Island
-
BC Ferries cancels many Christmas Day sailings, says others 'at risk'
The stormy weather in the forecast for B.C.'s South Coast is already disrupting many Christmas Day travel plans.
-
Janitors at Vancouver airport ratify deal with employer, end strike
The janitors who clean the Vancouver International Airport have ratified a new collective agreement with their employer, ending their strike on Christmas Eve.
-
Gas leaking after truck crash in Port Moody not ammonia, police say
There were tense moments for first responders in Port Moody on Christmas Eve, after a commercial truck crashed and began leaking gas.
Kelowna
-
Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city
A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna.
-
Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP
Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature."
-
B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict
A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying.
