CANADA
The Tyee
By BOB MACKIN
Published February 7, 2014
Three people who allege John Furlong abused them when they were elementary schoolers 45 years ago combined their lawsuits against the ex-Vancouver Olympics boss into one on Feb. 6 and are now also seeking damages for defamation.
Beverly Mary Abraham and Grace Jessie West originally filed separate B.C. Supreme Court lawsuits July 24, 2013, followed two months later by a male, against Furlong, the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation and Catholic Independent Schools Diocese of Prince George. All three aboriginal plaintiffs said they attended Immaculata Catholic elementary school in Burns Lake, B.C. where Furlong taught physical education in 1969 and 1970. They claimed to be victims of verbal, physical and sexual abuse who continue to suffer.
The new filing alleges Furlong defamed the trio at a Sept. 27, 2012 news conference, in October 2013 interviews on CTV and Dec. 12, 2013 on his website.
None of the allegations has been proven in court and Furlong claims innocence.
“The defendant denies that he sexually molested or physically abused or engaged in any inappropriate conduct,” said Furlong’s Sept. 23, 2013 defence statement.
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