A St. John’s lawyer disbarred for misusing his clients’ money has now pleaded not guilty to child pornography charges.
Fifty-four-year-old Michael Drover was struck from the Roll of Barristers and stripped of all practicing privileges seven years ago.
That was after he was found to have “misappropriated” almost $400,000 dollars from five clients, and using the money to pay bills for his Water Street law firm.
But things went from bad to worse last year when three child pornography charges were laid against Drover, including allegations of secretly watching or recording minors while they were naked.
At the time, he was involved with running a café on MUN’s St. John’s campus.
Then this past July, two more child porn charges were filed—one of making such material, and another of possessing it.
This morning, Drover’s lawyer entered not guilty pleas on his behalf, choosing trial by judge alone in provincial court.
Crown prosecutor Tim O’Brien stressed the importance of setting trial dates as soon as possible, noting the case is “Jordan-sensitive” — referring to the 18-month timeline to conclude the matter.
It’s expected those trial dates will be set when the case is called again on Friday.