Charlottetown lawyer who was former PC Party candidate and staffer charged with sexual assault

A partner at a Charlottetown law firm who also used to be a provincial Progressive Conservative candidate and party spokesperson has been charged with sexual assault.

Michael Drake's case made a first appearance in Georgetown provincial court on Thursday. Drake himself did not appear, but his Nova Scotia-based lawyer appeared virtually. Drake was previously arrested and released on conditions, so he is not in custody.

The court heard there is still outstanding evidence that has not been passed on to the defence, including a matter that will likely need to go before the Supreme Court, which could take some time. 

Drake is facing a single charge of indictable sexual assault. Because of the severity of that charge, he'll be able to choose whether he wants his case to stay in provincial court or be escalated to the Supreme Court of P.E.I.

A publication ban is in place to protect the victim's identity.

Lawyer appears by video on behalf of prominent Charlottetown lawyer charged with sexual assault

3 days ago

Duration 1:30

Michael Drake is a partner at McInnes Cooper law firm in Charlottetown. He's currently on leave as he faces a sexual assault charge in King’s County. There was a court appearance in Georgetown related to the case on Thursday. The CBC’s Nicola MacLeod reports.

'Placed on leave' at firm

Drake is a lawyer and partner at McInnes Cooper in Charlottetown. 

According to a profile that has since been removed from the firm's website, his practice focused on litigation, employment disputes, judgment enforcement and judicial review proceedings.

"A partner in our Charlottetown office has been placed on leave as a result of being charged with sexual assault. The alleged offence is unrelated to his work with McInnes Cooper," the firm said in an email to CBC News.

"While there is a judicial process ongoing, we will have no further comment. We remain committed to ensure we conduct ourselves in a safe, respectful manner and hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity."

Drake was the lawyer hired by the province last year to conduct a review into the conduct of the former Murray Harbour town councillor who posted a controversial sign on his property and was removed from council.

Drake also has past affiliations with the Progressive Conservative Party of P.E.I.

He served as the chief of staff when the party was Official Opposition from 2013 to 2015. He has also acted as an official spokesperson for the party and ran as a candidate in 2015, losing to Liberal Heath MacDonald in Cornwall-Meadowbank.

The party's executive leadership told CBC News in an email that Drake currently holds no position with the party.