Mike Bullard charged with stalking ex-girlfriend
Popular Toronto radio host Mike Bullard has been charged with criminal harassment in connection with the alleged stalking of a television reporter he had dated.
The five charges — criminal harassment, obstruction of justice and breaching conditions to stay away from the woman — were laid in three batches between September and November. The first set of charges led to Bullard losing his job at Bell Media. The former standup comedian and television talk show personality has been host of Beyond the Mic With Mike Bullard on Newstalk 1010 since 2010.
In an interview Monday, Bullard said the charges stem from “a bad breakup” and it is “a very personal thing between me and her.” Bullard is due in court Wednesday to receive additional disclosure from the Crown attorney assigned to the case.
“I phoned her twice after we broke up,” said Bullard, 59, during the interview. Told by the Star that the charges relate to allegations of hundreds of text messages and calls of a harassing nature and visiting her home in violation of a court order, Bullard said. “OK, maybe I called her three or four times.”
Arthur Stern, Bullard’s lawyer, said his client is facing a “very private, personal matter” and is dealing with “serious personal issues.” Stern said Bullard is receiving counselling. He asked the press to show his client “the type of sensitivity he needs to deal with his personal issues, which he is doing in the best interests of everyone.”
The target of the alleged harassment was City TV journalist Cynthia Mulligan. Mulligan, a Gemininominated local news reporter, is travelling on assignment overseas and could not be reached for comment.
Bullard and Mulligan dated for about seven months beginning in 2015 and Mulligan broke off the relationship in June. Over the summer, Bullard allegedly texted and called Mulligan and refused to stop. According to the first charge laid against Bullard, Mulligan feared “for her personal safety” as a result of Bullard’s actions.
In late summer, Mulligan made a complaint to Toronto police. Detectives from 55 Division contacted Bullard and asked him to stop. When the behaviour allegedly continued, police laid the first set of charges on Sept. 21.
Shortly after that, Bell Media removed Bullard from his job on Newstalk 1010.
According to the police charges filed in court, Bullard’s pattern of harassment continued. On Oct. 12, he was allegedly spotted at Mulligan’s home, despite a court order to stay away. Police allege that he was also seen at her home on Oct. 16. Police again warned him to keep his distance from Mulligan and laid a second set of charges on Oct. 26.
Police laid a third charge against Bullard on Nov. 7, alleging obstruction of justice, stating that he contacted Mulligan in October “indirectly in an attempt to have the complaint withdrawn.”