JUDGE'S LIBEL CASE SETTLED

A Toronto law firm representing Thunder Bay Justice Dianne Pettit Baig has
been successful in negotiating a settlement to a libel case stemming from a
Feb. 8, 2000 story in the Toronto Globe and Mail and other media.

Baig's lawyer, Robert Rueter of Rueter, Scargall, Bennett, said in a news
release Monday Baig will receive $568,500 for damages. The settlement
includes legal costs.

Defendants other than the Globe and Mail include The Canadian Press, The
Fort Frances Times and seven Fort Frances lawyers (Clare Brunetta, Ian
McLennan, Wesley Derksen, Ken Koprowski, Lawrence Phillips, Emery Ruff and
Donald Taylor).

Other defendants contributing to the settlement were Margaret Katona and
Donna Anderson, two members of the Fort Frances court staff, and Fort
Frances locksmith Ken Rogoza.

The Globe and Mail paid $200,000 of the settlement amount, the news release
said.

Rueter said all of the defendants have made written apologies to Justice
Baig, who is a judge in the Ontario Court of Justice in the Thunder Bay and
Rainy River Districts.

"The libel was for the false accusations that the judge had smoked
marijuana in her chamber," Rueter said in an interview from his Toronto office.

"The statement was false. An investigation by the Ontario Judicial Council
concluded there was no evidence to support the content," he said.

"This was a substantial award that reflects the gravity of the matter.

"It's a vindication of Justice Baig's good name and reputation."