John Furlong defamation case begins as journalist Laura Robinson sues
Laura Robinson claims former Vancouver Olympics CEO defamed her in response to article alleging abuse
The defamation case filed by journalist Laura Robinson against former VANOC CEO John Furlong began in B.C. Supreme Court Monday morning.
In his opening statement, Robinson's lawyer Bryan Baynham said that Furlong defamed the journalist "because she reported on aspects of his past that he did his best to keep hidden."
Baynham also said that Furlong's legal right to clear his name died when he filed notice to discontinue his claim of defamation against Robinson.
CBC reporter Jason Proctor is in court. Follow his coverage in the liveblog below. Mobile users can follow here.
After a story by Robinson, published by the Georgia Straight newspaper in 2012, alleged Furlong physically and verbally abused students as a gym teacher at Immaculata Elementary School in the late 1960s, the former VANOC CEO initially sued Robinson and the Straight for defamation, but later withdrew his suit against the newspaper.
Robinson responded with a lawsuit of her own, claiming Furlong's statements about her reporting implied she was unethical, incompetent and motivated by personal animosity.
The case is presided over by Justice Catherine Wedge, a former equestrian Olympian.
With files from Jason Proctor