The woman who sued Hockey Canada for an alleged sexual assault recently passed a polygraph, her attorney has revealed.
A statement released by Robert Talach of Beckett Law Firm said the woman “passed this ‘lie detector test’ with a rating of ‘truthful.’
The result of the polygraph test, arranged by counsel for the complainant, was provided to London police, Hockey Canada and NHL investigators.
The woman alleged that eight players — including members of the Canadian junior team that took part in the 2018 World Championship — sexually assaulted her following a Hockey Canada gala in London, Ont. four years ago.
The London-based law firm released a statement to summarize its efforts following the alleged mob assault and “to set the record straight”.
“Within a day of her leaving the hotel room, the London Police Service was informed and investigated. After initial inquiries, she spoke with a detective at the police station on the morning of June 22, 2018. On the same day, she had a physical examination at a hospital. She later provided her clothes from the evening as evidence,” the statement read.
In what has become a national scandal surrounding Hockey Canada, the woman filed her claim on April 20, 2022, and Hockey Canada settled the case on May 24.
The plaintiff sought over $3.5 million in damages from Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League and Players Anonymous.
Details of the settlement are not public and none of the allegations have been proven in court.
The manner in which the case was handled by Hockey Canada led to federal hearings, and the International Ice Hockey Federation said in a statement to The Canadian Press that it had launched an investigation into the actions taken by Hockey. Canada.
“These are deeply disturbing incidents that the IIHF takes extremely seriously,” the organization said in a statement.
Conservative MP John Nater, a member of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, says Canadians are concerned about the organization’s willingness and ability to deal with such allegations appropriately.
“The current leadership of Hockey Canada has shown that they care more about protecting themselves than finding the truth or fighting the culture of silence,” Nater said in a statement sent to The Canadian Press on Tuesday.
“The Conservatives are hopeful that a thorough investigation will be conducted to address these issues. We also continue to call for an immediate change in the leadership of Hockey Canada. »
Hockey Canada has denied reports that a motion has been put in place for President and CEO Scott Smith to step down.
Inaccurate statement
The woman made it clear to London police as early as June 24, 2018 that she wanted criminal charges to be pursued, according to her lawyer. She again met with agents on June 26 and August 31 of the same year. She was informed on February 6, 2019 that no charges would be brought.
Talach clarified that Hockey Canada’s original assertion that the woman did not approach or cooperate with police was inaccurate.
“After a period of reflection, she then pursued the case through the formalities of the civil justice system in the form of a trial,” her attorney’s statement said.
“Although she has now filed criminal and civil charges, she has been asked to assist in the re-opening of Hockey Canada’s internal investigation and a new investigation by London police. She complied with these requests. She provided a full written statement to Hockey Canada on July 21. 2022 and to the National Hockey League the next day.
“This woman has fully engaged and cooperated with all legal and formal investigations surrounding these events,” the statement said.
The IIHF, meanwhile, said it will continue to monitor Hockey Canada’s actions to ensure it complies with the organization’s Abuse and Harassment Code.
“The federation will take all appropriate action in accordance with the FIHG Code on Abuse and Harassment when and if necessary,” their statement read.
It also recently emerged that Hockey Canada has used its so-called “national equity fund,” which is funded by membership fees collected across the country, to settle sexual assault claims.
Hockey Canada has since said it will no longer use the fund to settle sexual assault claims.