Jian Ghomeshi's new lawyer once jokes about ongoing scandal

As yet another person comes forward with allegations of sexual impropriety again Jian Ghomeshi, this time a male, the former CBC radio host has hired a high-profile criminal defence attorney in anticipation of potential charges by police.

But it appears even she has something to say about Ghomeshi’s sexual history.

The Toronto Star reports that Ghomeshi has retained Marie Henein, a name partner at Henein Hutchison LLP, who notably represented former Ontario attorney general Michael Bryant when he was charged in the death of a bicycle courier in 2009.

Ghomeshi had previously retained the crisis management firm Navigator, which also represented Bryant in 2009, until it confirmed they had dropped Ghomeshi as a client last week.

In the Star story, reporter Sidney Cohen noted that Henein had discussed Ghomeshi as recently as last week, in a joke she shared with hundreds of lawyers and judges while acting as emcee at a gala dinner for the Criminal Lawyers Association.

“As criminal lawyers we represent people who have committed heinous acts. Acts of violence. Acts of depravity. Acts of cruelty. Or as Jian Ghomeshi likes to call it, foreplay,” Henein joked to the crowd of lawyers and judges.

It should be noted that Henein’s joke doesn’t seem to cross any lines. By Ghomeshi’s own admission he enjoys sexual encounters that others could find depraved or bizarre.

With the public sentiment turning against Ghomeshi, as more people come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct, it is surely important for his lawyer to have an understanding of what is at stake.
Since the Ghomeshi scandal first broke two weeks ago, nine women have come forward with details of being forced into aggressive sexual situations without their consent.

On Tuesday, the Star reported that a male former York University student revealed that Ghomeshi had fondled his genitals.

Jim Hounslow, who now works at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, alleges the incident happened more than 25 years ago, when the two were classmates at York and Ghomeshi was student federation president.

No formal complaint was ever filed, but Hounslow told the newspaper it was part of a pattern of behaviour toward other students. Although he is not aware of any other male students being targeted.

Three women, including actor Lucy DeCoutere, have filed official grievances with Toronto police after Chief Bill Blair urged victims to come forward.

One of the complainants, who has remained publicly anonymous, says she has been treated with the “utmost respect” by Toronto Police Service’s Sex Crimes investigators.

“There was no judgement, there was nothing shameful about it; they didn’t express their own opinions, anything like that. It was a lot easier than I thought,” she has been quoted saying.

Meantime, CBC has hired employment lawyer Janice Rubin to investigate allegations of impropriety by Ghomeshi toward other employees and associates.

Ghomeshi alleges in a $55 million lawsuit against CBC that he was fired for what he does in his personal life.

An internal memo, obtained by the Globe and Mail, says that, “Current and former CBC/Radio-Canada employees who worked on Q or Play [the CBC Newsworld pop-culture show] during the period in which Jian Ghomeshi was host, and who have complaints, concerns or experiences they wish to share regarding harassment, discrimination, violence or other inappropriate workplace conduct during their work on these programs, are invited to contact Ms. Rubin.”

No charges have been laid against Ghomeshi. But the allegations are no laughing matter. Even if the situation does make for a sharp gala speech punchline.