Former Senator Don Meredith has been acquitted in his sexual assault trial on Wednesday, marking the end of a long-standing Senate scandal that marred the institution’s reputation. The case shed light on the challenges faced in removing a problematic member.
Meredith, who voluntarily resigned from the Senate in 2017 amid allegations of a sexual relationship with a teenager, faced three counts of sexual assault and one count of criminal harassment. The charges stemmed from accusations made by a former employee who claimed that Meredith engaged in unwelcome physical contact, including kissing and touching, and misused his power as a parliamentarian.
During the trial, the former employee testified that Meredith used endearing terms, hugged, kissed her, and made inappropriate advances. She recounted an incident where Meredith exposed himself to her and requested her to remove her clothing during a virtual call. Additionally, she detailed how Meredith asked her to wear revealing attire and touched her inappropriately during a dinner with his wife.
The employee, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, explained that she refrained from reporting the harassment due to concerns about her future job prospects. The criminal charges were initiated following an investigation by the Senate ethics officer, who referred the case to the Ottawa police after finding substantial evidence of misconduct by Meredith.
In court, Meredith denied all accusations, and both he and his wife testified, disputing some of the employee’s claims. Ultimately, Justice Narissa Somji ruled in favor of Meredith, citing inconsistencies in the employee’s testimony and the testimony of other witnesses. The judge deemed the employee’s evidence unreliable and found Meredith’s wife’s account of the dinner incident credible.
Despite an email presented by the prosecution suggesting inappropriate behavior by Meredith, the judge questioned its veracity. Following the verdict, Meredith, a Pentecostal minister, expressed gratitude for the outcome and stated his readiness to move forward.
The Crown attorneys declined to comment on the case post-verdict. The trial unfolded against a backdrop of previous workplace allegations against Meredith, where the Senate’s ethics officer found him guilty of creating a hostile work environment through harassment and misconduct towards multiple employees.
In a separate incident, a Senate investigation revealed Meredith’s breach of the ethics code due to an inappropriate relationship with a minor. Although facing potential expulsion, Meredith resigned before the Senate could vote on his removal, citing a desire to progress beyond his “moral failings.” This resignation allowed Meredith to secure his Senate pension.
The Senate later issued a formal apology and agreed to compensate affected employees. The case underscores the complexities of addressing misconduct within political institutions and the challenges of holding members accountable for their actions.
