The sentencing hearing for a man convicted of extortion against Eastern Health had to be postponed yesterday when he fired his lawyer.

Trevor Curtis was so desperate to get a meeting with Eastern Health over his treatment at the Waterford that he was willing to, and did, resort to blackmail.

He alleges his rights were violated while in care, leading to the loss of his business and relationships with his children.

Then in December of 2019, after hitting a brick wall, he says he found a USB memory stick with personal patient info in the Health Sciences parking lot.

Curtis posted some of it on Facebook, calling it a “Christmas gift,” “leverage,” and his “one shot” to get someone’s attention.

It did that, leading to the single charge and conviction for extortion in April.

The sentencing hearing was set for Thursday, but was postponed when he fired his legal aid lawyer, and later approached VOCM News to help him get “the whole story out there.”

Curtis then wanted to proceed without a lawyer, something Justice Kate O’Brien warned against, reminding him of the seriousness of the offence and corresponding sentences—which range from a few years to life in prison.

O’Brien urged him to apply for another lawyer to help with his sentencing submission.

The hearing is now set for early August.