In a pivotal moment for one of Toronto’s most high-profile legal cases, Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson took the witness stand Tuesday, forcefully denying sexual assault allegations that have shadowed his political career for nearly two years. The veteran Scarborough councillor, his voice occasionally rising with emotion, categorically rejected claims that he sexually assaulted two women at his cottage in Muskoka in July 2022.
“These allegations are untrue,” Thompson testified, maintaining steady eye contact with the judge throughout his testimony at the Bracebridge courthouse. “I never forced myself on anyone.”
The proceedings mark a critical juncture in a case that has seen exceptional delays. Originally scheduled for March 2023, the trial was postponed multiple times, including a significant delay when one of Thompson’s previous lawyers suddenly withdrew from the case just days before proceedings were set to begin.
Thompson, who has served on Toronto City Council since 2003 and holds the position of deputy mayor, faces three counts of sexual assault involving two women. The legal battle has unfolded against the backdrop of his continued political service, as Mayor Olivia Chow reinstated him as deputy mayor last July despite the pending charges.
During cross-examination, Crown Attorney Trent Wilson pressed Thompson on inconsistencies between his testimony and statements from other witnesses. Thompson remained composed but firm, particularly when addressing questions about alcohol consumption at his cottage on the night in question.
“There was social drinking, yes, but nobody was intoxicated to the point of impairment,” Thompson insisted, contradicting earlier testimony from other party attendees.
Legal experts following the case note its significance extends beyond Thompson himself. “High-profile sexual assault cases involving public officials create complex dynamics in the courtroom,” says criminal defense attorney Eleanor Richards, who is not involved in the case. “The scrutiny is intense, both legally and politically.”
Throughout the proceedings, Thompson has maintained his innocence while continuing his council duties representing Scarborough Centre. The allegations became public in September 2022, when Thompson stepped aside from his role as one of John Tory’s deputy mayors after the charges were laid.
The case has drawn significant attention from both news media and political observers, particularly given Thompson’s prominence in Canadian municipal politics. As the longest-serving Black councillor in Toronto’s history, Thompson has been a significant figure in the city’s political landscape for nearly two decades.
The trial continues this week with additional testimony expected from character witnesses for Thompson. Justice Amit Ghosh, who is presiding over the case without a jury, has indicated he aims to conclude proceedings by Friday.
As Toronto watches this trial unfold, a question lingers beyond the legal outcome: in an era where public trust in institutions is increasingly fragile, how will this case affect citizens’ confidence in their elected officials regardless of the verdict?
