Couple acquitted of human trafficking employee at unlicensed autism therapy business

Amber and Lauriston Maloney pictured entering the Bradford, Ont., courthouse. (CTV News/Mike Arsalides)

Warning: This article contains details that may be disturbing and triggering to readers.

Amber and Lauriston Maloney have been found not guilty of human trafficking charges three years after a woman alleged she was exploited by the couple.

In his judgement, Justice Philop John Brissette ruled the Crown failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the Maloneys caused the complainant to fear for her safety if she did not work for them at the unlicensed business run out of their two-acre Essa Twp. property.

The woman, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, said she lived with the couple and worked for Amber Maloney’s now-defunct business, a camp for children on the autism spectrum called Beating the Odds for several years despite being unqualified to work in the field. She testified caring for children in the role of a therapist.

The woman told the court she was often paid very little or nothing at all, while being available to the Maloneys at all hours of the day, helping them around the house, cooking, making drinks, cleaning and caring for their children.

The court heard the relationship became toxic and violent, fueled by alcohol and jealousy when the Maloneys sought to bring more women into their bedroom. The complainant testified she became upset and felt excluded, forced to compete for the Maloneys’ favour and attention. She said she eventually left the relationship when a fifth person was added to the dynamic.

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The complainant testified Maloney assaulted her on several occasions. Justice Brissette agreed with two of the four alleged events that included Maloney grabbing the woman during an argument before pouring water over her head, then throwing the water bottle at her.

In two other incidents, Justice Brissette found Maloney had acted in self-defence or struck the complainant as a reflex after she had hit him. He agreed Maloney assaulted her on a separate occasion at the family cottage when he pulled her by the hair and dragged her across the floor before Amber intervened.

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During trial, the complainant rejected suggestions by the defence that she only came forward to police out of revenge against the Maloneys when their relationship ended on bad terms. Amber Maloney is represented by defence lawyer Elliott Willschick, her husband by Anthony Bryant.

The complainant testified she vacationed with the couple and their kids and was romantically involved with them for several years after meeting Amber online; telling the court she was willing to do whatever Amber asked of her because she loved her.

The woman said Lauriston Maloney told her to quit her minimum wage jobs and take social assistance before moving in with the couple and working for them and that she eventually came forward to police because she was afraid of Lauriston as the Maloneys were threatening to report her for fraud.

Charges of forcible confinement and administering a noxious substance were dropped earlier in the trial. Amber Maloney is still accused separately of fraud and failing to comply with bail conditions. Those allegations have not been tested in court.

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Lauriston Maloney was previously convicted of pimping out an underage girl 22 years ago in Mississauga and designated a registered sex offender. Maloney said the 14-year-old girl lied about her age when she worked for his escort business.

The Maloneys return to a virtual courtroom next week in Midland to address their outstanding matters including setting a sentencing date for Lauriston Maloney’s assault conviction.