Jian Ghomeshi charged with four counts of sexual assault

Former CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi is facing five charges, including four counts of sexual assault. Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/CBC

Former CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi has been charged with four counts of sexual assault one month after he was fired by the national broadcaster.

In addition to the sexual assault charges, Ghomeshi is facing one count of “overcome resistance – choking.” According to Canada’s criminal code, that means he is alleged to have attempted to “render another person insensible, unconscious or incapable of resistance.”

The maximum punishment for the charge is life in prison.

Ghomeshi, 47, was fired from Q on CBC radio on Oct. 26 after the broadcaster saw “graphic evidence” of injuries to a woman, the Globe and Mail reported. In the wake of his departure, at least nine women have come forward with allegations that he physically or sexually assaulted them, including Canadian actress Lucy DeCoutere and lawyer Reva Seth. At least three women are known to have taken their allegations to police.

Toronto Police say they began their investigation on Oct. 31, looking ” into several allegations of sexual assault.” According to police, Ghomeshi surrendered himself to authorities on Wednesday morning and is expected to appear in court at 2 p.m. He arrived at the downtown Toronto courthouse shortly after noon in the back of a police cruiser, his face turned away from members of the media.

Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair declined to comment on the charges in a media scrum shortly before noon, saying the matter is now before the courts.

In a Facebook post published shortly after his firing, Ghomeshi said he’d done nothing wrong and was wrongly dismissed “because of what I do in my private life.” He characterized his sexual encounters as consensual and involving BDSM (bondage, discipline, dominance and submission) practices. Ghomeshi’s social media accounts have since been deleted, but in his last Facebook post he said he intends “to meet these allegations directly.”

Though he hasn’t been heard from since, he has hired prominent criminal lawyer Marie Henein. She is expected to speak with media after Ghomeshi’s court appearance.

Ghomeshi also filed a $55 million lawsuit against the CBC after his firing, claiming defamation and breach of confidence. The suit has since been withdrawn and Ghomeshi will have to pay $18,000 to cover the broadcaster’s legal costs.