An Ontario justice of the peace allegedly sexually harassed a colleague. His discipline case was just cancelled because he turned 75 - Toronto Star

James Ziegler turned 75 this week, the mandatory retirement age for justices of the peace. 

Ontario Justice of the Peace Gloria Kovach, left, testifying at the discipline hearing of fellow JP James Ziegler, right, in September.

A Kitchener justice of the peace’s discipline hearing for allegedly sexually harassing a colleague has been scrapped after he reached mandatory retirement age this week. 

James Ziegler was accused of entering fellow JP Gloria Kovach’s chambers at the Waterloo Region courthouse on April 12, 2024, leaning over her desk, and declaring: “I love you and I want to have sex with you.” 

His discipline hearing before a panel of the Justices of the Peace Review Council started in September and was only able to sit for one day due to the availability of his lawyer, Julianna Greenspan. It was enough time for Kovach to testify under examination-in-chief about her allegations, but cross-examination by Greenspan never ended up happening.

Kovach said she was left shocked and appalled by Ziegler’s behaviour, saying she was also terrified because he was standing between her and the door. Ziegler told her he loved everything about her: the way she talked, the way she smiled, the way she laughed. And he lamented that he was in a sexless marriage.