‘We were all in a relationship’: Woman testifies against Maloneys in human trafficking trial

The following story may be disturbing and triggering to some readers.

A woman who admitted to being in a sexual relationship with two other women and alleged labour traffickers Amber and Lauriston Maloney, came forward Monday to testify for the Crown against the Maloneys in their Barrie, Ont. human trafficking trial.

“We were all in a relationship” she testified.

The woman said she worked for Lauriston while the complainant worked for Amber Maloney. She said they were all part of a sexual relationship with one another.

She told the court the complainant, whom CTV News will not be identifying, had a history of self harm, and testified the complainant’s mental health worsened when a third woman was introduced to their relationship with the Maloneys. She said the change led to escalating tensions and arguments with Lauriston.

The witness testified the complainant became angry she was not getting attention from the Maloneys “anymore” and had been “shut out” by them.

The witness said the souring relationship was devastating to the complainant’s self worth as she spiralled “down the path of self harm” in a state of depression.

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The witness testified both she and the complainant were expected to work for the Maloneys starting as early as 6 a.m., return home, then cook and clean and care for the Maloneys and their kids. She said she was paid little money in return; about $250 a week and collected Employment Insurance at Lauriston’s request.

The witness, whom CTV News will also not be identifying, said Lauriston expected the women to help him with renovations on a barn on their property, which was to house Amber’s expanding business, the Beating the Odds autism therapy centre and camp located on their rural property.

She told the court the women “were made to work” whenever Lauriston told them they were required; otherwise, they would be punished for failing to do their share of the work.

She said the women would be spoken to by Lauriston and promptly cut off from certain perks such as dinner and entertainment.

The woman told the court, she, and the complainant “didn’t have a choice” when it came to work.

“It felt like we were forced to work on the barn,” she testified.

She said the complainant’s mental health decline was noticeable, when she was eating and showering less often.

When the complainant came forward to provincial police alleging she had been labour trafficked, the witness said Maloney brought her and the other woman to the police station in July 2023.

The woman said they were told by Lauriston to provide statements to police to “protect themselves” and describe the complainant’s mental health challenges, violence, and aggression. She said Lauriston instructed her to tell police she paid him rent to live in their home and not to mention their unique sexual relationship.

She testified she was told to focus her police statement on the complainant and “aim everything against her “and make the Maloneys seem like they did not do anything wrong.”

The woman said she came forward to police about a year ago to tell her truth after she moved out of the Maloney’s home in late 2023.

The Maloneys face several charges including human trafficking. The trial is scheduled to continue Tuesday when it is expected the court will her further Crown witness testimony.