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Former CBC Radio host Jian Ghomeshi appeared in court Wednesday afternoon.
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Former CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi will plead not guilty to charges of sexual assault and choking, his lawyer says.
Ghomeshi was released on $100,000 bail after he was arrested and appeared in a downtown courtroom Wednesday.
The 47-year-old has been charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count of overcome resistance – choking. He surrendered to police, according to a news release.
“We will defend and respond to these allegations fully and directly in a court of law,” said Marie Henein, Ghomeshi’s high profile defence lawyer, in a statement to media.
“It is not our practice to litigate matters in the media... What we have to say we will say in court.”
Appearing in a College Park courtroom shortly after noon, the ousted CBC radio poster boy sat in the prisoner’s box with his mother in the front row of the public gallery. He stared straight ahead as the court heard details of the case against him, and appeared tired with bags under his half-lidded eyes while his hair, cut shorter than usual, was tousled. His face was clean-shaved and he wore a dark blazer over a white shirt.
CHRIS YOUNG / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Jian Ghomeshi, pictured here in Toronot on Jan. 22, 2010, has been arrested by Toronto police and charged with sex crimes.
Toronto Star
Jian Ghomeshi leaving the courthouse in Toronto.
Presiding justice Rebecca Rutherford ordered Ghomeshi to remain in Ontario upon his release on bail, and to surrender his passport. He was also ordered to live with his mother and not contact any of his accusers. Asked repeatedly if he understands the conditions of his release, Ghomeshi each time said, “I do.”
Henein was granted a publication ban barring reporters from sharing any evidence heard in court Wednesday. Such bans are routine for bail hearings in the province.
Nine women and one man have told the Star and other media that they were choked, hit or sexually harassed by Ghomeshi.
Ghomeshi, who hosted the popular radio show Q since 2007, was fired by the CBC on Oct. 26.
Toronto police began their investigation on Oct. 31. At the time, three women, including Trailer Park Boys actress Lucy DeCoutere, had come forward with allegations.
“The past month has seen a major shift in the conversation about violence against women,” the actress said Wednesday in a statement through her spokesperson.
“It has been an overwhelming and painful time for many people, including myself, but also very inspiring. I hope that victim’s voices continue to be heard and that this is the start of a change that is so desperately needed.”
After Ghomeshi’s bail hearing, he and Henein emerged from the courthouse elevator and were escorted by police through a thick crush of television cameras and reporters wielding smartphones. Ghomeshi didn’t respond to questions from the media, while Henein made a brief statement before entering a dark van and driving away with Ghomeshi.
CBC spokesperson Chuck Thompson declined to comment Wedneday morning. In a statement on Twitter later in the day, CBC said “we understand no charges involve staff or ex-staff of CBC; won’t be commenting abut charges.”
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CBC’s executive vice-president of English services, Heather Conway, has said that Ghomeshi was sacked after the CBC’s head of radio, Chris Boyce, and head of public affairs, Chuck Thompson, on Oct. 23 saw “graphic evidence that Jian had caused physical injury to a woman.”
She said the evidence included text messages, photos and video.
Conway did not view the evidence herself.
A source told the Star that the video, shown on Ghomeshi’s phone, depicted a woman he had dated with bruises, apparently caused by a cracked rib.
In a message posted on Facebook days after he was fired, Ghomeshi denied engaging in any non-consensual sexual behavior and said he intended to meet the allegations against him “directly.” His Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as his website, have since been taken down.
Since his firing, Ghomeshi has been dumped by crisis communications firm Navigator; publicity company Rock-It Promotions; his publisher; his agent; the musician Lights, whom he managed for 12 years; and the Polaris Music Prize jury.
On Tuesday, he dropped his $55-million lawsuit against the CBC for breach of confidence, saying he was taking his fight against the broadcaster to “binding arbitration” in accordance with its collective agreement. He must pay the CBC $18,000 in legal costs.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday morning, Toronto police chief Bill Blair would not comment on the charges. He said that he encourages victims of sexual assault to come forward to police.
“I want to offer them my reassurances that they will be treated with dignity and respect,” he said.
At Queen’s Park, where the Ghomeshi affair has led to Premier Kathleen Wynne agreeing to strike an all-party committee on sexual violence and harassment in the workplace and beyond, Attorney General Madeleine Meilleur would say little about the charges.
“As you know, this case is before the courts so I cannot comment on it,” Meilleur said.
But the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues Tracy MacCharles said the “silver lining” to the episode is that it may help other people who feel victimized to come forward.
“Our government is very committed to this issue … around sexual violence and assaults and harassment against women,” MacCharles told reporters.
“The silver lining here is we have heightened awareness. I encourage anyone who’s experienced sexual harassment to … go to the police or (use) other community supports,” she said.
“I can’t comment on that (specific Ghomeshi) case because it has to go through due process. All these issues help create a culture and an environment in workplaces, in schools, and communities, and aboriginal reserves … for men and women to come forward and that is the benefit here … to shine a bigger light on it.”
With files from Tim Alamenciak and Sidney Cohen
Kevin Donovan can be reached at 416-869-4425 or kdonovan@thestar.ca .
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