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Ghomeshi, 48, the former host of Q, an internationally
syndicated CBC Radio music and arts program, was fired by the
Canadian Broadcasting Corp in October 2014. The CBC said it had
seen graphic evidence that he had injured a woman in what
Ghomeshi later said on Facebook were consensual sex acts
involving bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism.
Toronto police charged the well-known former musician in
November after several women came forward with complaints of
sexual assault that had allegedly occurred over several years.
On Thursday, Ghomeshi appeared in person, accompanied by his
lawyers, to plead not guilty to four counts of sexual assault
and one count of overcoming resistance by choking.
Ghomeshi's trial is scheduled to begin in February, and will be
by judge only. He faces a separate trial for another count of
sexual assault.
After the Ghomeshi scandal broke, an independent investigation
slammed the national public broadcaster for ignoring Ghomeshi's
abusive behavior in the workplace because he boosted ratings.
The report in April by law firm Rubin Thomlinson, commissioned
by the CBC, said Ghomeshi made inappropriate comments to
colleagues, gave unwanted back and shoulder massages, played
cruel jokes, and yelled at and shunned colleagues who displeased
him, in addition to other offensive behavior.
(Reporting by Andrea Hopkins; Editing by Frances Kerry)
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