“I was radioactive”, like a “monster”, after the publication of an article by The Press about it, said Quebec choreographer Steve Bolton on day one of the defamation lawsuit he filed against the daily and two of its journalists.
On December 12, 2017, an article entitled “Rain of denunciations against a star choreographer” was published on the front page of The Press.
That day, his life “literally changed,” said his lawyer, Ms.e Marie-Pier Cloutier.
The article reported that about 20 dancers had filed a complaint with the Union des artistes (UDA) against him, with allegations ranging from physical and psychological violence during rehearsals to untenable working conditions. The facts reported to the UDA – which had instigated an investigation – reported tantrums and intimidation on the part of the choreographer, “who adopts an attitude of abuse of power”, notably refusing to give breaks to the dancers or let them drink during rehearsals. A dancer said he repeatedly hit her on the hip in rehearsal, causing her to bruise.
According to what is reported in the article, two people also told reporters that he was aggressive even with children on a production, making them cry, just like adult dancers.
The article portrayed him as an abuser and a violent person, Ms.e Cloutier to trial judge Karen Kear-Jodoin.
Mr. Bolton was interviewed for the purposes of the article. In it, we can read that he said that dancers were intimidated into reporting him and that he is the victim of a vendetta from ex-girlfriends and competitors. He denies hitting the dancer who accuses him. The journalists also spoke to members of the dance community who praised his work and who claim never to have seen him commit reprehensible or inappropriate acts – facts reported in the article.
“Misleading” for one, “complete and nuanced” for others
The man later decided to sue for damages The Press and the two authors of the article, Katia Gagnon and Stéphanie Vallet, the latter now being at the To have to.
He is claiming more than $265,000 from them in moral damages, exemplary damages and compensation for his alleged loss of contracts.
In his lawsuit, he complains of various shortcomings of the two investigative journalists, including having used information “in a misleading way”, without context, denoting “a search for sensationalism”. Their collection of information is biased and biased, he denounces, favoring the version of the complainants and ignoring or minimizing his own.
These accusations are denied by the defendants. They maintain that they have committed no fault. The article published is “complete and nuanced”, describing both the complaints and the plaintiff’s (Steve Bolton) version, “in a fair manner”, one can read in a Court document.
“Since he was informed of the investigation carried out on him by the UDA, the plaintiff’s sole objective has been to silence and intimidate his critics”, he is exposed in the means of defense of the daily and journalists.
They respected journalistic standards, carrying out a “complete and exhaustive” investigation, declared before the judge the lawyer for the defendants, Ms.e Genevieve Gagnon.
According to Me Cloutier, the magistrate will also be called upon to weigh the balance between freedom of the press, the public interest and people’s private life.