Ghomeshi’s lawyer behind ‘peace bond’ solution, source says

TORONTO — An expected agreement that will see fired CBC Radio host Jian Ghomeshi apologize and sign a peace bond in exchange for the withdrawal of a sexual-assault charge against him was instigated by his lawyer, a source familiar with the proceedings said Tuesday.

The offer, expected to be formalized Wednesday, became contingent on his admitting to misconduct against the complainant, a former CBC employee, and an appropriately worded apology, the source told the Canadian Press.

The source insisted on anonymity.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of the Attorney General announced the hearing would take place Wednesday in Ontario court of justice before Judge Timothy Lipson. Ghomeshi, 48, had been expected to stand trial next month on a single charge of sexual assault related to an incident alleged to have occurred at the CBC in 2008.

The ministry gave no reason for the change. Ghomeshi’s lawyers did not respond to requests to discuss the case publicly and Susan Chapman, who speaks for the complainant, said she “was not at liberty” to talk about the agreement.

A peace bond or recognizance, most commonly used in cases of domestic assaults, allows authorities to impose conditions on someone and in which they promise to be of good behaviour.

In March, the former host of the CBC radio show Q was acquitted of sexual assault and choking charges related to three complainants, who alleged the incidents occurred in 2002 and 2003. Judge William Horkins said he did not believe the complainants were credible. The current case, however, appeared to be different, since there was at least one witness and contemporaneous emails about his impugned behaviour.

In November 2014, for example, former CBC employee Roberto Veri said publicly he had seen the behaviour that formed the subject of the current charge against Ghomeshi. “She was leaning over her desk working. He came up behind her and humped her. He drove his pelvis into her buttocks and a big smile on his face,” Veri told Canadaland.

Ghomeshi pleaded not guilty to the summary sexual-assault charge, which carries a maximum 10 years in prison on conviction.