Latest news with #workplaceviolations
CBC
09-07-2025
- CBC
Companies fined in case of engineer who drowned at Nova Scotia Power reservoir
Three companies have been ordered to pay a total of $260,000 for health and safety violations after an engineer drowned while working at a Nova Scotia Power reservoir in 2020. Andrew Gnazdowsky died on Oct. 16, 2020, after he went into the water to try to retrieve a piece of floating survey equipment that had malfunctioned in a reservoir in Sheet Harbour, N.S. In Halifax provincial court on July 3, Judge Elizabeth Buckle sentenced Gnazdowsky's employer, Brunswick Engineering and Consulting, to pay $102,000 in penalties for two violations of Nova Scotia's Occupational Health and Safety Act. She found the Saint John company failed to ensure safe work practices related to working on water — and using equipment on water — were adequate and implemented, and that the company failed to provide rescue equipment when there was a risk of drowning. Gemtec Consulting Engineering and Scientists Ltd. of Fredericton was fined $61,750 and Nova Scotia Power was fined $96,250, both for failing to ensure Brunswick Engineering employees were provided with rescue equipment due to the risk of drowning. There was no rescue boat on site when Gnazdowsky died. The Public Prosecution Service said the penalties would include victim surcharges and contributions to the labour minister's education fund. The three companies were charged in 2022 and convicted in August 2024. During a two-day sentencing hearing in March, Gnazdowsky's mother, father and sister — who was vocal about calling for accountability following her brother's death — were among the 15 people who delivered victim impact statements. They told the court their family would "never be the same" and they've struggled since the tragedy. Defence lawyers representing the three companies had argued penalties should reflect the offence their clients were convicted of and nothing more, pointing out the absence of a rescue boat didn't directly cause Andrew Gnazdowsky to die. They proposed fines ranging from $30,000 for Gemtec to $50,000 for Nova Scotia Power. Crown prosecutor Alex Keaveny had argued a maximum fine of $200,000 for Nova Scotia Power would act as a deterrent to other companies.
CBS News
06-05-2025
- CBS News
Smokey Robinson and his wife sued by 4 women alleging sexual battery, assault
Four women have filed a lawsuit against Motown legend Smokey Robinson and his wife, alleging sexual battery and assault. The complaint was filed on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court naming Smokey Robinson, whose legal name is William Robinson Jr. and his wife, Frances Robinson, as the defendants. Four women have filed a lawsuit against Smokey Robinson and his wife, alleging sexual battery, assault and workplace violations. Tiffany Rose The list of damages listed in the lawsuit includes sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence and several workplace violations. The women, referred to as Jane Does to protect their privacy, are described as having been housekeepers for the Robinsons at their Chatsworth residence. All of the women claim they were repeatedly sexually assaulted by Robinson, with one of the claims dating back to 2007. According to the lawsuit, all of the women allege they were forced to resign due to the assault and harassment. The suit accuses Robsinon's wife of failing to take action to prevent the alleged acts. It also claims she had prior knowledge that her husband had previously settled other cases with women who experienced similar situations. The women claim that during the alleged assaults, Robinson used physical barriers and threats of force to prevent them from fleeing. The lawsuit also includes several allegations of workplace violations. One of the women claims that while she worked for the Robinsons, she was only paid $10 per hour. They all claim they were not given proper rest periods and were not properly compensated for working overtime hours. The court documents allege Robinson's wife created a hostile work environment, which included derogatory comments and emotional distress. CBS News Los Angeles has reached out to the Robinson team and is waiting for a response.
