TORONTO CITY COUNCILLOR FACES TWO CHARGES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN MUSKOKA IN JULY
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — Toronto’s deputy mayor has stepped down charged with sexual assaults in Muskoka this summer.
OPP in Bracebridge said in a media release today that city councillor Michael Thompson faces two charges of sexual assault.
Members of the Muskoka Crime Unit of the OPP charged the Toronto resident.
They said Friday that in September a report was filed alleging sexual assaults had taken place at a private residence in Muskoka earlier this year.
As a result of the investigation, Thompson, 62, was charged and is to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge Nov. 1, 2022.
Police say no further details will be provided to protect the identity of the victims.
Lawyer Calvin Barry told the Toronto Star yesterday that Thompson will “vigorously” plead not guilty.
He said the victims were both adult women and that the alleged incident took place in July.
Thompson, who left his largely ceremonial role as deputy mayor at the request of Mayor John Tory, also stepped aside as chair of the economic and community development committee.
He will remain a city councillor and is seeking re-election in Ward 21 Scarborough Centre.
Anyone who has any information in relation to this investigation or believes they are a victim of a similar incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
A sexual offence can be reported to police no matter how long ago it happened and someone can be charged for sexual assault. Our duty is to bring an appropriate resolution to the case by conducting a professional and thorough investigation, while at the same time providing necessary information, resources and support.
Report sexual assault by calling the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or 9-1-1 in an emergency. You can also visit www.opp.ca and search ‘sexual assault’ to learn more.
If you do not want to make a report to police or need time and support to make that decision, we have partnered with many other agencies that can help. Ontario 211 provides information on and referrals to Ontario’s community, social, health-related and government services. Simply call 2-1-1 or visit 211ontario.ca for more information.
You can also find local resources and support by searching your location on the Victim Services Directory at http://services.findhelp.ca/ovss/ or contact the Rape Coalition of Ontario at https://sexualassaultsupport.ca/.
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