Judge Michel Girouard reviewed by judicial panel for allegedly buying cocaine

ASuperior Courtjudge from the Abitibi regionis under review by a panel of his peers, following allegations heboughtcocaine just two weeks before he was appointed to the bench.

The inquiry committee of the Canadian Judicial Council is hearing evidence surrounding those allegations.

Judge Michel Girouardwas appointed to the bench in 2010, after 25 years of practicing as a defense lawyer.

But his career as a judge was cut short, when aformer-cocaine-dealer-turned-police-informant identified the judge as a formerclient, from his days as a lawyer.

Girouard stopped hearing cases in November2012, following that.

An inquiry committee of the Canadian Judicial Council willhear evidence on thatallegation that Girouardpurchased an illicit substance on Sept.17, 2010, while his application for an appointment as a judge was pending.

Girouard has contested theallegations he's facing.He hasalsoquestioned the legitimacy of the inquirycommittee.