scandals

Jian Ghomeshi Drops $55 Million Lawsuit Against CBC

Photo: Sonia Recchia/Getty Images

Canadian media personality Jian Ghomeshi — who is facing a slew of sexual-abuse allegations — has dropped the $55 million lawsuit he and his lawyers filed last month against the CBC, the Toronto Star reports. “The parties have reached a settlement,” said CBC spokesman Chuck Thompson. Ghomeshi will have to pay $18,000 in legal costs to the broadcaster, and the rest of his exit will be dealt with internally, as part of a “unionized grievance process.” Thompson, via CBC, added that Ghomeshi will be “getting nothing.”

The former Q host’s lawyers filed the suit after the CBC fired him in October. Ghomeshi claimed the CBC had acted “in bad faith,” and elaborated on Facebook that his ouster stemmed from “the risk of my private sex life being made public as a result of a campaign of false allegations pursed by a jilted ex girlfriend and a freelance writer.” The dismissal, according to the Star, occurred the same day Ghomeshi showed CBC execs video and texts that alluded to bruises on a woman he dated, which he says were the result of consensual rough sex.

Coinciding with Ghomeshi’s departure, the Star released a report last month that revealed a history of sexual-abuse allegations from several woman who said the host had punched, slapped, or choked them without consent. Toronto police are currently investigating at least three complaints. In his most recent statement, according to the CBC, Ghomeshi said he will “meet the allegations directly,” but won’t talk to media. He has not been charged with a criminal offense at this time.

Ghomeshi Drops $55 Million Lawsuit Against CBC