CANADA
CBC News
Former Vancouver Olympics CEO John Furlong told reporters at a news conference today that the “unimaginable nightmare” he lived through while under suspicion of abusing his former students has finally ended.
Saying he just wanted to move on with his life, Furlong also announced he would end his defamation lawsuit against Georgia Straight writer Laura Robinson, who published the initial allegations of abuse
However, Robinson, who is suing Furlong for questioning her journalistic credibility, said in a statement she has no intention of dropping her court action.
“At the time the Georgia Straight article was published, I wasn’t even aware of the allegations made by Grace Jessie West and the male whose case was dismissed on Monday,” she said.
“My story was based on serious allegations made by numerous individuals, including allegations contained in eight sworn affidavits, and I stand by the work I did. I feel that the dropping of Mr. Furlong’s lawsuit against me today is recognition that my reporting on the serious allegations was responsible and appropriate.”
“My suit is about an attack on my integrity and professional conduct as a journalist. It has never been about these three cases. “I look forward to my June 15, 2015, court date. I am pleased that the lawsuit against me has been dropped. I stand by the research and work that I did.”
2 accusers didn’t attend Furlong’s school
Furlong’s lawyer, Claire Hunter, told the news conference two of Furlong’s accusers, Grace West and Daniel Morice, never attended Immaculata Elementary School in Burns Lake where the abuse was alleged to have occurred.
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