Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon speaks to media as he arrives at the courthouse for his civil trial in Montreal on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
September 22, 2025 - 10:54 AM
MONTREAL — The lawyer for nine women accusing the founder of the Just for Laughs festival of sexual assault says it's impossible his clients are all lying about what happened to them.
Bruce Johnston made the comments in a Montreal courtroom today in his closing arguments in the civil trial of ex-comedy mogul Gilbert Rozon.
Johnston told Superior Court Justice Chantal Tremblay that Rozon would find excuses to get his victims alone in a private place to catch them off guard and assault them.
The plaintiffs are seeking $14 million in damages for sexual assaults and rapes they allege occurred between 1980 and 2004.
Rozon, 70, claims he had consensual relations with three of the nine women, and denies the other allegations against him.
Closing arguments for the defence will be heard at the courthouse later this week.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2025.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2025