Winnipeg Coun. Russ Wyatt arrested, charged with sexual assault

Coun. Russ Wyatt has been charged with sexual assault following a Winnipeg police investigation. Jeff Keele reports.

A Winnipeg councillor has been charged after allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a man last year.

CTV News has confirmed Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona) was arrested and charged on Tuesday.

In a news release Wednesday, police say they began investigating in February after receiving a report that a man was sexually assaulted.

Investigators said the victim connected with another man on a social media website and started meeting in person more than once in December 2025.

During one of the meet-ups, police said the men went to a home in the east part of the city, and the victim was given an illicit drug and sexually assaulted.

The man received medical attention afterwards, police said.

Russell George Wyatt, 56, has been charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious thing with intent to aggrieve or annoy.

He was released on an undertaking.

None of the allegations have been tested in court.

In a message to CTV News on Wednesday, Wyatt said he would not comment on the matter, later adding that he still intends to attend Thursday’s council meeting.

Wyatt’s lawyer, Evan Roitenberg, told CTV News that his client is innocent.

“We’re not going to try this case in the media, but Mr. Wyatt is innocent, and we look forward to having a trial on this matter,” he said.

Roitenberg said the first court date in the matter has not yet been scheduled. He added that he couldn’t comment on whether the court case would wrap up before the October municipal election.

Previous arrest

Wyatt was previously arrested in July 2018 and charged with sexual assault, but the charge was stayed in court

It is not known why the first charge was stayed but a 2019 statement from Manitoba Justice said charges are stayed when there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction or it’s not in the public interest to proceed. A charge can be reactivated within one year if new evidence becomes available.

At the time, police said the complainant was a woman Wyatt knew, but few other details were shared. It also isn’t known why the first charge was dropped.

Wyatt served as city councillor for the Transcona ward from 2002 to 2018 before taking a leave of absence, later entering a rehab program for substance abuse.

Wyatt was elected councillor for Transcona again in the 2022 election.

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If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
• The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres' website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling.
• The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: [phone] or [phone] (24/7)
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: [phone] (24/7)
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone] (24/7)
• Trans Lifeline: [phone]