Allegations of sexual misconduct: Gilbert Rozon deplores the treatment he has received

Michael Nguyen

Wednesday, 7 February 2018 13:28

UPDATE
Wednesday, 7 February 2018 13:31

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Gilbert Rozon deplores the fact that the presumption of innocence has been “swept under the rug” when the sex scandal about him broke out, he told the court this morning in his first public appearance since last October.

“There are allegations in the morning, it is judged at noon, and run in the evening,” quipped the founder and former ceo of Just for laughs on Wednesday at the palais de justice of Montreal.

Photo Chantal Poirier

Rozon is a witness in a commercial litigation between Just for laughs and Quebecor, for the sale of the company he founded. Rozon has left his post after dozens of women had accused of misconduct – and even aggression – sexual last October, but he remains the majority shareholder of the group.

But, if his testimony was predominantly of commercial details and contractual, Rozon has even mentioned the sex scandal concerning them which broke out in autumn, has found The Journal de Montréal in the courtroom.

“The presumption of innocence is part of a blow dry”, he lamented before the court.

It will

Since then, a collection called The Bold has filed a class action against Rozon, claiming millions of dollars. In the documents of the court, it is alleged that Rozon was assaulted at least 20 women between 1982 and 2016.

“It happened in the framework of the movement #MeToo (#MoiAussi in French), he explained. I refute, I’m going to challenge it, but the time that it’s going to take…”

This phrase could refer to the time it will have to wait for the process to take its course, until his testimony in this folder.

Sponsors are also temporarily removed from Just for laughs, ” said Rozon. It was thus an arrow towards the government of Québec, which has temporarily suspended the sponsorship of Just for laughs.

“The government sweeps under the carpet the presumption of innocence, it is a little strange in a State of law”, he launched to the court.

Sale

Facing the storm facing him, Rozon is trying to sell its shares in order to “turn the page” and does not harm the company.

He has hired a firm to search for buyers. Gold, Quebecor holds a right of first offer, says the company, which owns, among others, The Journal.

“I thought that this right was ended,” said Rozon in cross-examination.

His testimony continues this afternoon.