Michael Thompson, 64, was charged with two counts of sexual assault in September of 2022, following a long weekend cottage getaway in Muskoka.
Due to the sensitive and/or legal subject matter of some of the content on globalnews.ca, we reserve the ability to disable comments from time to time.After three days of testimony, the first witness in the sexual assault case of longtime Toronto politician Michael Thompson finished a lengthy cross-examination in which she said the Scarbourgh councillor heavily encouraged alcohol consumption and made her increasingly uncomfortable.
During Newhouse’s overview, she said the second complainant was severely intoxicated and had gaps in her memory, but clearly remembers telling Thompson she said “no.”Both of the complainants’ identities are protected by a publication ban, along with the identity of a third woman who was also a guest at the cottage over the long weekend in 2022.
She testified that a weekend invitation to a Port Carling cottage getaway had come with the expectation of networking and meeting other people who might be able to help with her career. But soon after arriving at the cottage, the witness said she learned the only guest for the first two days would be Thompson’s friend, identified only as “Tracey” during the trial.
Shemesh asked why the woman remained in contact with Tracey for weeks following the long weekend, if she felt like she was acting like sex trafficker. The witness said she remained confused about their intentions, but it was on further reflection that she felt grooming techniques were being put to use on her.
During her testimony, Thompson could be seen shaking his head in the courtroom, including when it was asserted he told the witness to take a photo of the two complainant posing in bikinis. The Scarborough Centre councillor has said little, aside from greetings as he enters and exits the Bracebridge courthouse.
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