Retired Justice John Gomery has died.

Gomery rose to prominence in 2004 when he oversaw the inquiry into what was dubbed the “sponshorship scandal.”

That looked at a federal sponsorship program in Quebec between 1995 and 2003.

Because of the Gomery Commission, he was named the Canadian Press newsmaker of the year in 2005. He was also Time Magazines Canadian newsmaker of the year in 2005.

Gomery’s daughter Elizabeth announced his passing on her Twitter page.

Justice John Gomery was 88 years old.