“With one exception, each of them has demonstrated overwhelmingly that she suffered one or more sexual assaults at the hands of Mr. Rozon,” stated Judge Chantal Tremblay during the verdict announcement.
In a significant ruling, Gilbert Rozon has been ordered to pay $880,000 to eight women who accused him of sexual assault and misconduct. The civil trial, which spanned ten months, concluded with the judge affirming that all but one plaintiff met the burden of proof.
The plaintiffs had sought a total of $14 million in damages, highlighting the severity of their claims against the former Just For Laughs founder. Rozon, who has consistently denied the allegations, claimed that he had consensual relations with three of the women involved.
Judge Tremblay emphasized the importance of the judgment, stating, “This judgment therefore aims to bring this long trial to a close and to reaffirm that an infringement of personal integrity, when proven, calls for a legal response proportionate to the extent of the harm suffered.”
The incidents in question occurred between 1980 and 2004, with Rozon stepping down from his position at Just For Laughs in 2017 following the allegations. Notably, Annick Charette’s complaint led to criminal charges against Rozon, but he was found not guilty.
Rozon also countersued four women for defamation, but this was rejected by the judge. The plaintiffs included Patricia Tulasne, Lyne Charlebois, Anne-Marie Charette, Annick Charette, Sophie Moreau, Danie Frenette, Guylaine Courcelles, Mary Sicari, and Martine Roy, with Charette awarded $95,000 in damages.
Martine Roy expressed gratitude for the women who came forward, stating, “Today, I honour the brave women who have spoken up, thank you for your courage and solidarity.” Annick Charette added, “Few victims have the means to pursue a civil process, and few perpetrators have the means to compensate those same victims.”
The civil trial was part of a long legal battle that began as a class-action lawsuit but transitioned into individual suits after a 2020 Quebec Court of Appeal ruling.
As the legal ramifications of this case unfold, the focus remains on the impact of the verdict on victims’ rights and the broader conversation surrounding sexual misconduct.