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Toronto Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson surrendered to the OPP on Thursday and has been charged with two counts of sexual assault.
Police have not released any information about the case.
His lawyer, Toronto attorney Calvin Barry, said that Thompson was charged in connection with an alleged incident in the Muskoka region in July, but the allegations are “baseless.”
In a press release Barry said that the charges are “on the lower end of the spectrum” and Thompson will plead not guilty.
Michael Thompson is currently a councillor for Ward 21, Scarborough Centre.
He was issued a promise to appear in court. His court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 1 in Bracebridge. He is seeking re-election in October’s municipal election,
Mayor John Tory made a statement concerning Thompson on Thursday night:
“I take sexual assault allegations and charges against any individual very seriously,” he said.
“While the councillor is facing these charges, it would not be appropriate for him to continue serving as a deputy mayor or chair of a standing council committee. He has agreed and will be resigning those positions effective immediately.”
Thompson was chair of Toronto’s Economic and Community Development Committee as well as a member of Tory’s executive committee and deputy mayor for the east end of the city.