Latest news with #plaintiffs
CTV News
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon's testimony in civil sexual assault trial imminent
Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon is photographed at the Montreal courthouse during a break in his civil trial for sexual assault on Monday, June 2, 2025. (The Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi) The trial of Gilbert Rozon resumed on Monday and is being closely followed as the former entertainment mogul is expected to take the stand to give his version of events. Rozon is being sued in civil court by nine women who are collectively seeking about $14 million for alleged sexual assaults they say they were subjected to. However, his appearance on the stand is not guaranteed, as the day began with the testimony of a former employee, Louise Thériault, who worked at Just for Laughs in 1995 and 1996. Her testimony was repeatedly interrupted by legal arguments over certain questions that Bruce Johnston, representing the plaintiffs, wanted to ask Thériault. These debates first led to a closed-door session and then a break shortly before 11:30 a.m. to allow the defence to review certain pieces of evidence, meaning that Thériault's testimony was not expected to resume until 2 p.m A 'charming and seductive' man During the first part of her testimony, Thériault described Rozon as an 'attractive and seductive man.' She said she 'slipped into that game because I thought he was a man who was elegant, he was handsome, and he had a certain power.' She said she felt flattered by his interest in her, noting that she had always embraced her femininity and her power of seduction. 'I took part in that game with him because I also wanted to seduce him,' she said, adding that he was a funny flirt who occasionally made her laugh during his attempts to charm her. When asked what kind of boss he was, Thériault said that the trust Rozon had placed in her for more demanding tasks had given her confidence and that he always made a point of greeting her when he was at the Just for Laughs Festival. 'It was always smooth,' she summarized. Seductive rivalry She also spoke about a meeting with Patricia Tulasne, one of the plaintiffs in the case, with whom she said she had an 'instant friendly connection' when they first met. The two women spent time together over the course of a summer before distancing themselves due to incompatible values—specifically, that Tulasne 'had a hatred towards men that I didn't share.' Thériault said she was very surprised when she later learned what had allegedly happened between Tulasne and Rozon, especially since she recalled being convinced during a production dinner that 'she and I were sort of in a rivalry of seduction for the big boss's attention—he was at the table, and we both wanted a bit of it.' Her testimony was set to resume in the afternoon. A long legal saga The lawsuit involving nine women—Tulasne, Lyne Charlebois, Anne-Marie Charrette, Annick Charrette, Sophie Moreau, Danie Frenette, Guylaine Courcelles, Mary Sicari, and Martine Roy—follows a 2017 request to launch a class action against the businessman by a group of women known as Les Courageuses. Initially approved at first instance in 2018, Rozon later succeeded in having the request dismissed by the Quebec Court of Appeal in 2020. Separately, 14 women filed police complaints, but the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions only pursued the case of Annick Charrette. Rozon was acquitted in 2020 due to reasonable doubt. Tulasne, who acted as spokesperson for Les Courageuses, was the first to file a civil suit against Rozon in April 2021. The eight other women followed, and all the lawsuits were merged into the trial that began last December and has been repeatedly delayed due to legal debates. So far, 42 witnesses have testified for the plaintiffs, including the nine women involved and seven other women—among them Julie Snyder, Salomé Corbo, Pénélope McQuade, and Rozon's former partner Véronique Moreau—who all claimed to have experienced sexual abuse by the defendant. Rozon has consistently denied the allegations against him. By Pierre Saint-Arnaud, The Canadian Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French June 2, 2025.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Music legend Smokey Robinson has filed legal documents in Los Angeles in response to allegations of sexual asault
He is suing his accuser for $500 million. The Motown legend states that he and his wife, Frances, have consistently treated people who work for them with nothing but respect, according to legal documents obtained by The tracks of my tears singer likened the legal efforts of the four former eomployees suing him to a shakedown. He has staunchly denied abusing any of the women, and even compared them to 'extended family members'. The singer-songwriter and his lawyer noted that he and Frances had gifted the four plaintiffs concert tickets, cash for emergency dental procedures, and other items over the timeframe in which they worked for him.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson was accused of sex assault in 2015, but officials had insufficient evidence for charges, DA says
LOS ANGELES — A sexual assault allegation was made against Motown legend Smokey Robinson in 2015, but no charges were filed because of inasufficient evidence, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said. The decade-old allegation, which was presented to the prosecutor's office by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, is not connected to a recent civil suit that accuses Robinson of sexual assault, attorneys for the plaintiffs in that matter said. Robinson, 85, has not been charged with any crime and has denied any misconduct. The celebrity news website TMZ was first to report the 2015 investigation Friday. 'We discovered that our office was presented with a sexual assault allegation against Mr. Robinson in 2015 by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department,' the district attorney's office said in a statement Friday. 'In that matter, a declination of charges was made based on insufficient evidence,' the district attorney's office said. 'We are not able to provide further information at this time because of an ongoing law enforcement investigation.' The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that it conducted an investigation and that no charges were ever filed. "Due to the confidential nature of the investigation, we cannot provide more information," th sheriff's department said in a statement Friday. Earlier this month, Robinson was sued by four former housekeepers who have accused the "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" singer of sexual assault. The suit, which seeks at least $50 million, also names Robinson's wife and accused her of knowing about the allegations. Robinson has denied the claims, and this week countersued the four women and their attorneys, alleging defamation and seeking at least $500 million. Attorney Christopher Frost, who is representing Robinson and his wife, said his client maintains his innocence. "One unfortunate aspect of celebrity is that it is not uncommon to be the target of spurious and unsubstantiated allegations," Frost said. "Mr. Robinson looks forward to the conclusion of the current investigation, and has no doubt that a similar determination will be reached here." Attorneys for the women suing Robinson said Friday that the declination of the criminal case in 2015 only means there was a lack of evidence. The person who made the allegation in 2015 is not any of the four women who are suing Robinson, according to the attorneys, John Harris and Herbert Hayden. "The statement released by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office confirms that charges were not filed against Mr. Robinson due to insufficient evidence — not because the claims lacked merit," Harris and Hayden said. "This underscores the significant challenges victims face when reporting incidents of sexual assault, particularly when the alleged perpetrator is a powerful and well-known figure," they said. On May 15, NBC News reported that Robinson is under criminal investigation, citing a law enforcement source that it did not name. Robinson is an iconic American soul singer who has had a star-studded career spanning more than 70 years. The recording, producing and songwriting legend was a pioneer for Motown Records, founding the vocal group the Miracles in the 1950s and later releasing albums as a solo artist and working as a record executive for the label. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. This article was originally published on
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Jessica Dean Named to National Law Journal's 2025 Elite Women of the Plaintiffs Bar
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 27, 2025-- Premier plaintiffs firm Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, is proud to announce that partner Jessica Dean has been named to The National Law Journal's 2025 Elite Women of the Plaintiffs Bar, honoring women lawyers who have achieved exceptional results in high-stakes litigation on behalf of plaintiffs. 'I'm truly honored by this recognition,' said Ms. Dean. 'I care deeply about my clients and so appreciate the nod towards my life's work.' Ms. Dean has built a national reputation for holding powerful corporations accountable, with a primary focus in recent years on litigation against Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ). Her work has secured millions of dollars in compensation for victims and families of those who have lost loved ones. 'I'm proud to work alongside Jessica,' said firm partner Trey Branham . 'This honor is well-deserved and reflects her tireless advocacy.' Ms. Dean has secured life-changing verdicts for victims of corporate negligence and exposed systemic abuses that allow powerful entities to evade accountability. She and her firm secured several verdicts in 2024, including $45 million from a Chicago jury in the death of a mother of six, Theresa Garcia. This case, like many others, was mired in delays due to Johnson & Johnson's attempts to exploit the bankruptcy system to evade responsibility. Earlier this year, Ms. Dean earned national recognition from legal guide Lawdragon, which named her to its prestigious 500 Leading Lawyers in America and its 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers lists. The National Law Journal's Elite Trial Lawyers Awards honor firms and attorneys who have achieved significant results and showcased an unwavering commitment to advancing justice for their clients. View the other 2025 Elite Trial Lawyers honorees and finalists here. About Dean Omar Branham Shirley Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, is a nationally recognized trial firm that handles cases across the country for individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries or have died as a result of the irresponsible conduct of others. For more information, please visit . View source version on CONTACT: Media Contact: BeLynn Hollers 800-559-4534 [email protected] KEYWORD: TEXAS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: LEGAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOURCE: Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/27/2025 10:07 AM/DISC: 05/27/2025 10:06 AM
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Loblaw bread-fixing case 'largest settlement' in Canadian history, says lawyer
Jay Strosberg, a lawyer representing plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit accusing Loblaw of engaging in a bread-fixing scheme, reacts to the approval of the $500-million settlement.
