A Yukon Human Rights Commission began a new hearing Thursday concerning Thomas Molloy, who says he was discriminated against because of his criminal record.

It's the second time his case has been heard.

When Molloy assaulted his wife, Donna, in 2004 at her Yukon government job, the incident received publicity and his criminal record from Ontario — more than two dozen convictions including sexual assault and assault causing bodily harm — came to light.

Molloy was then hired by the Yukon Tourism Education Council to lead some employee workshops that the council had been contracted to carry out by the territorial government.

He was dismissed from the contract in late 2004 after women complained they were afraid of him.

That's when the human rights commission took up his case. It said discrimination based on the man's criminal record violates human rights.

Three adjudicators initially dismissed Molloy's claims, but the commission appealed and a Yukon Supreme Court judge ordered a new hearing.

The Yukon Human Rights board of adjudication was to spend Thursday hearing the board's case for Molloy.

Meanwhile, Molloy's wife has her own discrimination claim against the government.

She was fired in 2005 for breach of trust when supervisors found out she was the one who had recommended her husband for the workshops in the first place.

An appeal of her case is still pending.