John Furlong’s girlfriend testifies in his defence on eighth day of defamation trial

CANADA
Georgia Straight

by Carlito Pablo on June 24th, 2015

John Furlong’s girlfriend testified in court as part of his defence in a defamation suit brought by freelance journalist Laura Robinson.

Renee Smith-Valade, a former subordinate of Furlong at the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, of which he was CEO, took the witness stand on the eighth day of the trial of the civil case.

As Smith-Valade recalled in B.C. Supreme Court, she has worked with Furlong for many years and they were friends.

Sometime in late 2013 or early 2014, according to her, that changed.

“Our relationship evolved into more of a committed relationship, a partnership,” Smith-Valade said in her direct testimony today (June 24).

In cross-examination, Robinson’s lawyer, Bryan Baynham, asked Smith-Valade about her role in events that are subject to his client’s defamation suit.

These include the creation of Furlong’s October 2, 2012, statement, which accused Robinson of contempt towards the Olympics, the leadership of Vanoc, and male authority figures in sport.

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