Rockland lawyer Stphane Langlois facing suspension over missing millions

A Rockland, Ont., lawyer is facing suspension at a law tribunal hearing for allegedly mishandling or spending up to $4 millionheld in trust for his clients.

Stphane Langlois was reported to the tribunal by members of his law firm, including his accountant, according to a motion to be heard at a Law Society Tribunal in Toronto on Thursday morning.

Banking information shows that accounts that are supposed to be holding about $4 million in trust for his clients only have a balance of about $220,000, the motion details.

Langlois admitted to a tribunal investigator that he spent about $1 million of the funds for personal use and to cover general bills for his law firm, Charron Langlois LLP based in Rockland, the motion details.

His associates told aLaw Society of UpperCanada investigator that they feared Langlois would flee to Brazil, according to the investigator's affidavit.

His associates are now forming a new firm,Charron, Pilon and Sauv, andCharronLangloiswill be dissolved, Radio-Canada has learned.

The motion goes on to say, in French, that the public's faith in the proper administration of justice is at risk if Langlois's licence to practice lawis not suspended as the investigation into the missing funds continues.

Langlois practices real estate, commercial and family law, as well as civil litigation.His clients include the owner of DRS Construction, Gerry Dub, who is embroiled in a legal battle with the Ottawa Hospital.

• DRS Construction sues Ottawa Hospital for $1.5M
• Ottawa Hospital suesformer directors, contractors

Dub told CBC News that Langlois has a $350,000 lien on The Ottawa Hospital for alleged unpaid invoices to his company. TheOttawa Hospital is counter-suing,claimingthat former directors and contractors, including DRS,conspired to defraud the institution.