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The law society made no findings about Randhawa’s involvement in any fraud, but said he is ultimately responsible for what goes on in his law practice and for the conduct of his employees. In this case, his wife Kuljit, a Calgary realtor who also worked as a legal assistant in his office, was his sole employee at the time.

“Mr. Randhawa states that he did not know of and did not participate in an improper purpose, if one was achieved, but acknowledges that his supervision of the above real estate transactions and staff was inadequate,” the law society wrote.

The feud with Hayer earned Randhawa three citations for bringing discredit to the legal profession. Although Randhawa’s lawyer referred to “a history of bad blood” between the two men, it wasn’t clear about what precipitated an escalation into violence and threats beginning in 2010.

“Apparently there were some past insults that were possibly culturally based. There was some discussion about jealousies that may have created ill will. These things were mentioned, but we heard no real evidence,” the law society wrote.

On May 22, 2010, Randhawa went into Hayer’s office holding a rock. He returned on May 29 brandishing an axe. On both occasions, a man visiting Hayer’s office, identified as K.G., was the apparent target of Randhawa’s behaviour.

“K.G. felt threatened by it,” the law society wrote.

The law society also cited Randhawa for directing a verbal tirade at Hayer that was witnessed by several people at a legal conference in Halifax in May 2010.

The police responded to the fight between the two men in April 2011, but no charges were laid.

“There is some suggestion that Mr. Hayer is equally to blame. It does take two to make a fight, but we can’t deal with Mr. Hayer today. Maybe when eventually a decision is written about this case … Mr. Hayer will take time to read the decision,” the law society wrote.

jvanrassel@calgaryherald.com

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