Coun. Michael Thompson sex assault charges joined to Muskoka: OPP

The sexual assault fees Toronto town councillor Michael Thompson is experiencing relate to alleged incidents that took spot at a personal home in Muskoka, according to police.

In a assertion unveiled Friday, the Ontario Provincial Police confirmed Thompson has been billed with two counts of sexual assault stemming from the alleged incidents.

Through his lawyer, Thompson has denied the allegations, which have not been tested in court.

“In September 2022, a report was filed alleging sexual assaults experienced taken put at a non-public home in the District Municipality of Muskoka previously this 12 months,” the statement claimed.

“As a consequence of the investigation, Michael Thompson, 62 several years of age, of Toronto has been charged with two counts of sexual assault.”

The OPP stated it will not be releasing further more aspects in order to protect the id of the victims, but is asking for anyone who has information and facts linked to the investigation to appear forward.

Thompson is scheduled to look prior to the Ontario Courtroom of Justice in Bracebridge on Nov. 1.

Whilst the OPP statement didn’t specify when this 12 months the alleged incidents occurred, Thompson’s law firm Calvin Barry told media yesterday they took position in July, and the alleged victims are two adult ladies.

Barry said Thompson will plead not responsible and intends to “vigorously protect towards these allegations and he is asserting his innocence.” He included that his shopper is co-working with the authorities “to hopefully have him exonerated in the in the vicinity of long run.”

The Star has not been capable to achieve the alleged victims or their associates.

The rates appear just weeks prior to the Oct. 24 election, in which Thompson has registered to operate for a sixth phrase, in search of re-election in Ward 21, Scarborough Centre.

He was 1st elected in 2003, and for the previous 8 yrs has been an ally of Mayor John Tory, who appointed him chair of the city’s economic and neighborhood improvement committee and named him a single of four deputy mayors.

In a statement Thursday, Tory said Thompson had agreed to stage down from his function as chair of the financial growth committee, and give up the title of deputy mayor, a mostly ceremonial posture. He remains a metropolis councillor.

In the assertion, Tory explained he usually takes “sexual assault allegations and charges towards any individual really severely,” but he will not be commenting additional whilst the scenario is just before the courts.

In addition to his job on the financial progress committee, which has viewed him travel the globe drumming up business enterprise for the town, Thompson served on the Toronto Law enforcement Companies Board from 2010 to 2014.

Council’s sole Black member, he’s advocated for policies to overcome racism in city governing administration, and was a vocal opponent of police carding.

According to his council biography, he’s the receiver of the African Accomplishment Award for Excellence in Politics, the York College Intercontinental Award and the Bob Marley Life span Accomplishment Award.

He now serves on the board of numerous corporations, which includes Canada’s Walk of Fame, Centennial Faculty and Location Toronto. None of the organizations promptly returned a request for comment Friday about regardless of whether the rates will have an affect on Thompson’s placement on their board.

Ben Spurr is a Toronto-centered reporter covering metropolis corridor and municipal politics for the Star. Get to him by e mail at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter: @BenSpurr

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