Former senator Don Meredith acquitted on all counts of sexual assault, harassment

OTTAWA — Former senator Don Meredith was found not guilty of all charges of sexual assault and criminal harassment that were brought forward by a former employee, according to a decision read by Superior Court Justice Narissa Somji on Wednesday.

The complainant, who is protected by a publication ban and therefore cannot be named, alleged that she was subject to constant fondling, unwanted touching and threatening remarks by Meredith over a period of six months when working for him over a decade ago.

When delivering her decision in Ottawa, the judge said she found “inconsistencies” which undermined the reliability of the complainant’s account, whereas she found Meredith’s evidence “to be straightforward and clear” and “not shaken” during cross-examination.

“The primary issue at trial is whether the Crown has proved beyond a reasonable doubt whether the offences occurred,” said Somji. “The law is clear that I cannot decide the case by determining which conflicting version of events is preferred.”

Meredith, a Pentecostal minister from Toronto, was appointed to the Senate by former prime minister Stephen Harper in 2010 and resigned from the upper chamber in 2017 after it was revealed that he had a sexual relationship with an underage girl.

He also faced allegations of harassment, including of a sexual nature, to abuse of authority including were the object of two separate reports. Ultimately, the Senate paid nearly half-a-million dollars to nine of his former employees , including the complainant.

During the trial, she alleged that Meredith hugged her, kissed her, and touched her buttocks and breasts with her consent in his Senate office. She also described three incidents which happened outside of the office — including exposing his erect penis.

Meredith denied all of the allegations of sexual nature brought forward during the trial.

Somji argued in her decision that there were contradictions that arose from the complainant — whom she described as a “very fragile witness” who was at times “very emotional and distressed” — which put in question the reliability of her testimony.

In describing an incident in a hotel room in Toronto, the complainant testified that she rejected Meredith’s advances by asking him if it was the first time he was unfaithful to his wife. However, in a statement to police in 2018, she said she feigned to be on her period.

During cross-examination, the complainant said that many thoughts were running through her mind as an excuse to get out of that alleged interaction “should things go further.”

The judge also noted that a Senate security guard who testified on trial recalled that the complainant had been neglecting her appearance when working for Meredith, contradicting testimony that she felt forced to wear skirts and dresses to please him.

Another time, the security guard testified that the complainant had confided in him that Meredith had touched her vagina, but the complainant said she did not recall saying that.

The complainant also alleged that the former senator made inappropriate and threatening remarks — including one instance where he allegedly said he would “stab” her in the back is she leaked information — that made her feel like she was at risk of losing her job.

The Crown argued during the trial that the alleged sexual misconduct, coupled with his remarks, caused the complainant to fear for her psychological safety, resulting in criminal harassment, but the defence argued the elements of criminal harassment were not met.

“While Mr. Meredith acknowledges that he did provide (the complainant) job-related directives, he denies he ever threatened her physical or psychological safety,” said Somji.

The complainant ultimately left Meredith’s office six months in to work for another senator’s office.

Speaking to reporters after the verdict, Meredith thanked his family, God and his lawyer Paul Lewandowski. Meredith expressed relief that this “cloud has been lifted” on him.

“It’s been several years of testing me and my family, and I’m glad that this day is finally over,” he said, adding that he would continue his work in his community.

Meredith said he did not have a message for the former employee who testified against him. He was standing next to his wife, who was in the courthouse for the verdict.

The Crown did not offer any comments immediately after the judge’s ruling.

National Post
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