Toronto city councillor found not guilty of sexual assault at Muskoka cottage

Following an 11-month trial, accused of two counts of sexual assault, Scarborough councillor Michael Thompson has been found not guilty.

Warning: Content in this article may be upsetting to some readers.

Following an 11-month trial, Scarborough councillor Michael Thompson has been found not guilty of two counts of sexual assault.

Thompson, 65, was accused of inappropriately touching a woman while applying sunscreen to her body while on the dock of a Port Carling, Ont. cottage over the Canada Day long weekend in 2022 and forcing a sex act on another woman in the middle of the night.

Before leaving the courthouse Tuesday afternoon Thompson made stunning allegations insinuating he was set up and his criminal charges were the result of something politically motivated.

“Sexual assault is wrong, sexual assault happens,” said Thompson. “I did not sexually assault anyone, and I think it’s really important to understand that there are forces, and I am aware as to who they are, who have created this condition and situation where I’ve had to go through almost three years of hell.”

Thompson explained three business people who were unhappy he “did not help them” and “this has been very political.”

Still, Thompson was relieved the trial is over and ended with an acquittal, “I just want to get on with my life,” he said. “Sexual assault is wrong, sexual assault happens. I did not sexually assault anyone.”

The decision to acquit was made by Justice Philop John Brissette who ruled the Crown failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt Thompson sexually assaulted either of the complainants three years ago, when the younger women said Thompson took advantage of them sexually after he and a female friend supplied the guests with alcohol and marijuana.

The judge said Thompson was a “fairly reliable” and “relatively credible” witness with some concerns, alluding to Thompson’s tendency to not answer questions directly. The judge attributed the often long-winded responses to a life in politics.

“I believe Thompson’s firm and clear denial” of the accusations, said Justice Brissette regarding the first count of sexual assault relating to allegations he touched one of the women on her breasts and backside while applying sunscreen to her body while on the dock. The judge noted none of the women witnessed the alleged sexual touching.

The second complainant said she was “blackout drunk” when Thompson woke her up in the middle of the night, took her to his room and forced her to perform a sex act.

Justice Brissette described how the woman’s intoxication appeared to affect her memory and testimony.

Defence lawyer Leora Shemesh described the accusations made by the women as “a witch hunt.” Shemesh said she was pleased with the decision.

“I’m incredibly delighted with the verdict,” said Shemesh. “It was a hard-fought trial,” and “I’m glad he can go home today and believe that the justice system does work, and it does work well.”

Justice Brissette said he found it hard to believe Thompson did not see any of the women intoxicated over the course of the weekend, questioning Thompson’s testimony when he said he had no desire to engage in sexual activity that weekend. He called Thompson’s actions inconsistent with his testimony.

Brissette concluding however “There are too many significant reliability concerns,” surrounding the complainant required to convict Thompson.

Thompson said he invited the guests over for a relaxing weekend and did nothing wrong, crying on the witness stand as he defended his reputation. He took aim at those who make false claims of sexual assault and suggested there should be remedies for harm done.

“People who make these claims and allegations which are not true, but as I understand, there are no consequences associated with it, I think we have to review how those things occur and what actions should be taken against people who falsely accuse people of sexual assault and so on, having had this experience.”

Thompson would not say whether the court decision will affect his future in politics, including whether he will run again next year.

Related

• Toronto Coun. Michael Thompson: ‘I never sexually assaulted anyone’
• Trial continues for Toronto councillor accused of sexual assault by women at Muskoka cottage
• Toronto councillor accused of sexual assault cries on witness stand
• ‘This was a witch hunt’ Toronto councillor’s lawyer tells court during sex assault trial closing arguments