Facing the Music: Jian Ghomeshi Gets Charged
Former CBC Radio host and now disgraced Canadian media figure, Jian Ghomeshi, has officially been charged with four counts 
of sexual assault, as well as one charge of overcome resistance (choking).
The Toronto Police Service has confirmed that Ghomeshi, 47, surrendered today and made his first court appearance. He’s since been released on $100,000 bail; surrendered his passport; and must live with his mother. Ghomeshi’s next hearing is scheduled for January 8, 2015.
On Friday, October 31, 2014, the Toronto Police Service Sex Crimes unit began investigating Ghomeshi after a number of women went public with detailed accounts of violent sexual encounters with the accused.
“A sexual assault is any form of unwanted sexual contact,” reads the issued press release from Toronto Police Services. “It includes, but is not limited to, kissing, grabbing, oral sex and penetration.”
After it was revealed that the CBC was cutting ties with one of its most popular personalities, Ghomeshi published a lengthy Facebook posting in which he admitted his interest in rough sex and that the CBC had dismissed him because of this.
“Information came to (CBC’s) attention recently that in CBC’s judgment precludes us from continuing our relationship with Jian Ghomeshi,” said CBC spokesperson Chuck Thompson in October.
Ghomeshi retorted: “[With] no formal allegations, no formal complaints, no complaints, not one, to the HR department at the CBC (and) no charges, I have lost my job based on a campaign of vengeance.” He then filed a $55 million lawsuit against the CBC.
Since that point, a myriad of victims – named and unnamed – have come forward with allegations, while certain members of the Canadian media and arts community have suggested that Ghomeshi’s behaviour toward women was often untoward.
Yesterday, Ghomeshi dropped the aforementioned lawsuit and has been ordered to pay the CBC’s $18,000 in legal fees.
-Adam Grant
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