Toronto councillor Michael Thompson charged with sexual assault, his lawyer says
Longtime Toronto councillor Michael Thompson has been charged in connection with a sexual assault investigation.
Lawyer Calvin Barry, acting on behalf of Thompson, told CP24 on Thursday the alleged incident occurred in Muskoka in July 2022.
Thompson will be fighting the case "vigorously," Barry said, adding the allegations were made by two women.
He noted that 62-year-old Thompson has a court date on Nov. 1 in Bracebridge.
In a news release issued Friday, the Ontario Provincial Police confirmed that Thompson is facing two counts of sexual assault after a report was filed this month alleging sexual assaults had taken place at a private residence.
OPP said they will not be providing further details to protect the identity of the victims.
In a statement on Thursday evening, Tory said Thompson has stepped down as one of his deputy mayors after being charged by the OPP.
"I take sexual assault allegations and charges against any individual very seriously," he said.
"While the councillor is facing these charges, it would not be appropriate for him to continue serving as a deputy mayor or chair of a standing council committee. He has agreed and will be resigning those positions effective immediately."
Thompson was a member of Tory's executive committee and the chair of Toronto's Economic and Community Development Committee.
He is running for re-election in Ward 21 Scarborough Centre.
CP24 has reached out to Thompson for comment but has not heard back.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.