At the outset of the hearing, counsel for the respondents raised concerns regarding the adjudicator's past volunteer board membership involving a project the applicant was associated with, and the adjudicator's prior presence at a meeting with a scheduled witness for the respondents.
Although no formal recusal request was made and the adjudicator had not predetermined the matters, the adjudicator decided to step down to ensure a fair, just, and expeditious resolution.
The matter was remitted to the Registrar to schedule a new hearing date with a different adjudicator.
