London, Ontario (AP) – A judge is ready to give his verdict on Thursday in the sexual harassment case in inclusion of five members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Hockey Team.
Michael McLeod, Carter Heart, Cal Fute, Dillon Dube and Alex Forton Faced a test After an incident in 2018 in London, Ontario.
What happened?
A woman sued Hockey Canada In 2022, he was sexually assaulted by eight members of the Canadian world junior team after a money raising a money in London in 2018. Hockey Canada prosecuted, and then Test The organization had two secret funds to pay settlements on the claims of sexual harassment and misuse.
London Detective Sergeant. Announcing the allegations in early 2024, Catherine Dan said that the London police received a call from a relative of the victim on June 19, 2018 and started an investigation. In 2019, it was closed without any charge.
The 2022 suit, in which the loss was demanded by $ 3.55 million and was dropped after reaching the disposal with hockey Canada. Police opened the investigation again And allegations against five team members.
NHL started its investigation in 2022. Officials promised to release the findings, although Commissioner Gary Betman said in February that it would depend on what the league could say that legal proceedings have been given.
Woman testified in May She was naked, drunk and scared when four people showed unexpectedly in their room in the weapons of Delta Hotel London in the morning of June 19, 2018, and realized that there was only a “safe” option they wanted. The prosecutors said that the players did what they wanted to ensure that she was voluntarily agreed to sexual acts.
Defense lawyers investigated him For days more suggested that she actively participated or started sexual activity as she wanted a “wild night”.
Who was charged?
Heart, east Philadelphia Flyers; McLeod and Foot, East New Jersey Devils; Dubey, due to the flames of Calgary in the east; And East-NHL player Alex Forton, who were playing in Europe with Swiss club HC Embri-Potta, they were Accused of sexual assault. McLeod is facing allegations of having a party for sexual harassment crime.
All five pleaded not guiltyNo one is on NHL roster or an active contract with a team in the league.
Heart Flyers were number 1 goalkeeper, while McLeod and Dubey were regular. Former NHL player Adam Fute, a defenseman and son Fute, was mainly spent in the US Hockey League in the last season. Fourmenton played in 109 matches for Ottawa Senators from 2017 to 2022 before going to Europe.
What will happen next?
Ontario is fully responsible for handing over a decision in the case of Justice Maria Karokia of Superior Court Jury In May, after a complaint that the defense lawyers were laughing at some gamblers. Karokia said that he has not seen any behavior that would worry about it, but concluded that the negative impression of protecting the jury can affect his fairness, a problem that cannot be overcome.
Possible decline?
If any male is found guilty, it is found guilty for at least 10 years of jail sentence for any sexual harassment in Canada.
It was not immediately clear whether the players would be able to return to NHL if they are not found guilty. Betman has said that the league will allow the legal matter play before taking any step.
Whatever the judge decides, Betman has a broad latitude to take decisions in the interest of the game when it comes to off-i-i behavior. League in 2019 Suspended Los Angeles Kings Defenseman Slava Voyonov After determining the 2019-20 season and the upcoming playoffs that they completed the acts of domestic violence. Shane Pinto was suspended for 41 games To violate the league’s gambling policy.
There is an appeal process through NHL Players Association and through an intermediary When necessary, the League and the Union were jointly hired to rule over disputes.
Meanwhile, Hockey Canada has lost many sponsors, IncludedAnd its CEO and board resigned In view of this and other scams in 2022.
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The Associated Press