Former Vanoc CEO John Furlong physically abused his first wife and raped a common-law partner, according to explosive new allegations contained in just-filed court documents.
Furlong is suing journalist Laura Robinson for a story she penned for the Georgia Straight last year, in which she alleged he was abusive toward native students at Catholic schools while a teacher in northern B.C. four decades ago.
Furlong, who launched a very successful public-speaking career after the Vancouver 2010 Games, has insisted the accusations were false and defamatory.
Robinson has now filed her response to Furlong’s lawsuit, and it contains even more unproven allegations of abuse — both physical and sexual — against former students, as well as additional accusations that he was abusive toward his first wife and a second woman with whom he lived in a common-law relationship.
None of the allegations has been proven in court.
Through a spokeswoman, Furlong declined to comment Monday because the matter is before the courts.
In the past, he insisted he never abused students while a volunteer teacher in Burns Lake and Prince George from 1969 to the early 1970s.
He also alleged that Robinson, an Ontario-based investigative journalist, had a “personal vendetta” against him.
Robinson collected eight affidavits from former students who alleged Furlong was abusive to them for her article, and her court document denies the story was defamatory for a number of reasons, including the fact it was fair comment.
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John Furlong faces explosive new allegations
Furlong is suing journalist Laura Robinson for a story she penned for the Georgia Straight last year, in which she alleged he was abusive toward native students at Catholic schools while a teacher in northern B.C. four decades ago.
Furlong, who launched a very successful public-speaking career after the Vancouver 2010 Games, has insisted the accusations were false and defamatory.
Robinson has now filed her response to Furlong’s lawsuit, and it contains even more unproven allegations of abuse — both physical and sexual — against former students, as well as additional accusations that he was abusive toward his first wife and a second woman with whom he lived in a common-law relationship.
None of the allegations has been proven in court.
Through a spokeswoman, Furlong declined to comment Monday because the matter is before the courts.
In the past, he insisted he never abused students while a volunteer teacher in Burns Lake and Prince George from 1969 to the early 1970s.
He also alleged that Robinson, an Ontario-based investigative journalist, had a “personal vendetta” against him.
Robinson collected eight affidavits from former students who alleged Furlong was abusive to them for her article, and her court document denies the story was defamatory for a number of reasons, including the fact it was fair comment.
more
John Furlong faces explosive new allegations