Michael Thompson sex assault allegations happened at lawyer's ritzy Muskoka cottage
The Toronto councillor has denied the allegations through lawyer Calvin Barry
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Sep 30, 2022 • 1 day ago • 2 minute read • 38 Comments
City councillor Michael Thompson is in need of a new defence lawyer as he faces sexual assualt allegations. Hours after the OPP confirmed the charges on Friday, Thompson’s lawyer and friend Calvin Barry dropped him as a client.
“I and my team at the law firm feel that Michael should retain experienced counsel that may be more objective than I,” Barry said in an email to the Sun.
This came hours after the Sun asked Barry about his role in the incident which took place at multi-million dollar Muskoka mansion registered in his name. Based on information provided anonymously to the Sun and confirmed by reviewing property records, it was confirmed that the alleged incident happened at Barry’s Port Carling cottage.
The $3-million property was purchased by Barry in March of this year. In July, Thompson was staying at the property when a woman claims the councillor sexually assaulted her.
After a complaint was filed in September, police began an investigation and a second alleged victim was determined.
“As a result of the investigation, Michael Thompson, 62 years of age, of Toronto has been charged with two counts of sexual assault. The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on Nov. 1, 2022,” OPP said in the release.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
Barry was asked directly whether he was present for either of the alleged incidents and responded that he was in Thunder Bay with his family at the time. He was also asked whether he was in a conflict in representing someone in a criminal matter when the alleged crimes took place on his property.
Rather than respond to that question, Barry announced that he was stepping away from the case.
“I have been a close friend of Mike Thompson even before he excelled in politics. I really believe he will be exonerated sooner than later,” Barry said.
So far, Thompson has not discussed the charges or the situation publicly except to tell the Sun on Thursday morning that he could not comment.
First elected in 2003, Thompson has been a fixture on council ever since handily winning reelection by wide margins. Until Thursday he served as deputy mayor and as chair of the economic and community development committee.
He resigned both positions after the charges became public.
torontosun.com
The Toronto councillor has denied the allegations through lawyer Calvin Barry
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Publishing date:Sep 30, 2022 • 1 day ago • 2 minute read • 38 Comments
City councillor Michael Thompson is in need of a new defence lawyer as he faces sexual assualt allegations. Hours after the OPP confirmed the charges on Friday, Thompson’s lawyer and friend Calvin Barry dropped him as a client.
“I and my team at the law firm feel that Michael should retain experienced counsel that may be more objective than I,” Barry said in an email to the Sun.
This came hours after the Sun asked Barry about his role in the incident which took place at multi-million dollar Muskoka mansion registered in his name. Based on information provided anonymously to the Sun and confirmed by reviewing property records, it was confirmed that the alleged incident happened at Barry’s Port Carling cottage.
The $3-million property was purchased by Barry in March of this year. In July, Thompson was staying at the property when a woman claims the councillor sexually assaulted her.
After a complaint was filed in September, police began an investigation and a second alleged victim was determined.
“As a result of the investigation, Michael Thompson, 62 years of age, of Toronto has been charged with two counts of sexual assault. The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on Nov. 1, 2022,” OPP said in the release.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
Barry was asked directly whether he was present for either of the alleged incidents and responded that he was in Thunder Bay with his family at the time. He was also asked whether he was in a conflict in representing someone in a criminal matter when the alleged crimes took place on his property.
Rather than respond to that question, Barry announced that he was stepping away from the case.
“I have been a close friend of Mike Thompson even before he excelled in politics. I really believe he will be exonerated sooner than later,” Barry said.
So far, Thompson has not discussed the charges or the situation publicly except to tell the Sun on Thursday morning that he could not comment.
First elected in 2003, Thompson has been a fixture on council ever since handily winning reelection by wide margins. Until Thursday he served as deputy mayor and as chair of the economic and community development committee.
He resigned both positions after the charges became public.
Michael Thompson sex assault allegations happened at lawyer's ritzy Muskoka cottage
The Ontario Provincial Police have confirmed that two charges of sexual assault have been laid against Toronto Councillor Michael Thompson.
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