A woman who filed a sexual assault lawsuit with Hockey Canada passed a lie detector test: Attorney

The woman who filed a lawsuit against Hockey Canada over an alleged group sexual assault recently passed a polygraph exam, her attorney said Tuesday.

A statement released Tuesday by Robert Talach of Beckett Personal Injury Lawyers said the woman “successfully passed this ‘lie detector test’ with a score of ‘truthful’.”

The result of the polygraph test, arranged by the applicant’s lawyer, was made available to the London Police, Hockey Canada Review and NHL investigators.

The woman claimed eight players – including members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Team – sexually assaulted her four years ago after a Hockey Canada gala event in London, Ontario.

The London-based law firm released the statement to summarize its efforts following the alleged group attack and “set the record straight”.

“Within a day of leaving the hotel room, the London Police Service was notified and investigating. After initial investigation, she spoke to a detective at the police station on the morning of June 22, 2018. On the same day she underwent a physical examination at a hospital. She later provided her clothes from the evening as evidence,” the statement said.

In what has exploded into a national Hockey Canada scandal, the woman filed her complaint on April 20, 2022, and Hockey Canada settled the case on May 24.

The complainant sought more than US$3.5 million in damages from Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League and the unnamed players.

Details of the settlement are not public and none of the allegations have been proven in court.

Hockey Canada’s handling of the case led to federal hearings, and the International Ice Hockey Federation said in a statement to The Canadian Press that it had opened an investigation into Hockey Canada’s actions.

“These are deeply disturbing incidents that the IIHF takes extremely seriously,” the IIHF said in a statement.

Conservative MP John Nater, a member of the Canadian Heritage Standing Committee, says Canadians have concerns about the organization’s willingness and ability to adequately deal with such allegations.

“Hockey Canada’s current leadership has shown that it cares more about protecting itself than finding the truth or fighting the culture of silence,” Nater said in a statement sent to The Canadian Press on Tuesday became.

“Conservatives hope that an in-depth investigation will be carried out to address these issues. We continue to call for an immediate leadership change at Hockey Canada.”

Hockey Canada on Tuesday denied a report of a request for CEO Scott Smith to step down.

The woman made it clear to the London police on June 24, 2018 that, according to her lawyer, she wanted criminal prosecution. On June 26 and August 31 of this year, she again met with officials. On February 6, 2019, she was informed that no charges would be filed.

Talach said Hockey Canada’s original claim that the woman did not contact or cooperate with police was inaccurate.

“After a period of reflection, she next pursued the matter through the formality of the civil justice system in the form of a lawsuit,” her attorney’s statement said.

“Although she has now commenced both criminal and civil proceedings, she has been asked to take part in the reopened Hockey Canada internal review and a re-inquiry by London Police. She complied with these requests. She provided Hockey Canada with a comprehensive written statement on July 21. 2022 and the following day to the National Hockey League.”

“This woman has fully cooperated and cooperated with all legal and formal investigations related to these events,” the statement said.

The IIHF, meanwhile, said it will continue to monitor Hockey Canada’s actions, including the resumed investigations, to ensure they are acting in accordance with the IIHF Abuse and Harassment Code.

“The IIHF will take all appropriate steps as required under the IIHF Abuse and Harassment Code,” their statement said.

It was also revealed recently that Hockey Canada used its National Equity Fund, which is maintained by national membership dues, to resolve sexual assault claims.

Hockey Canada has since said it will no longer use the fund to settle sexual assault claims.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on August 2, 2022.