File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Sydney Chisholm

Mayor of Kamloops

CORRECTION: Mayor Hamer-Jackson says asset liquidation meant to pay current lawyer

Oct 9, 2024 | 8:10 PM

KAMLOOPS – Kamloops mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson says he plans to liquidate some of his assets, including his Westmount home, his commercial property on Victoria Street West and his boat, to cover his legal fees with Vancouver-based firm Owen Bird.

However, Hamer-Jackson says he still feels he does not owe his former lawyer, David McMillan, for services Hamer-Jackson feels were offered pro bono.

Last month, McMillan filed documents in BC Supreme Court to have about $35,000 in Hamer-Jackson’s outstanding legal bills reviewed by a judge.

These bills include representation for several proceedings including the ongoing defamation suit against Coun. Katie Neustaeter and the Integrity Group investigation into code of conduct complaints.

Minutes before Tuesday’s (Oct. 9) city council meeting began, a bailiff served Hamer-Jackson with documents ahead of next week’s court hearing, slated for Oct. 16.

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Hamer-Jackson was aware of the upcoming hearing, however, he says didn’t expect to receive the documents as he did.

“David [McMillan] knows where I live and everything. I mean, Why did he do that? I guess it’s the same reason – over all the years, Dave would tell me that he likes to serve people on a Friday afternoon because he likes to ruin their weekend,” Hamer-Jackson told CFJC News. “And I guess that’s that. Like I said, we were friends for years, and that’s fine.”

Ed. note: An earlier version of this story stated Hamer-Jackson was liquidating assets to pay McMillan. Hamer-Jackson later reached out to CFJC Today to clarify the liquidation is meant to pay Owen Bird.