Attorneys Assert Innocence in Statement
Attorneys representing Dillon Dube, who has been charged by the London Police with sexual assault, have declared that he will plead not guilty and maintain his innocence. In a statement obtained by TSN’s Rick Westhead, the attorneys emphasized that Dube will defend the allegations in court and requested privacy for him and his family.
Allegations Stem from 2022 Complaint
The charges against Dube arise from a complaint made in 2022 by a woman identified as “E.M.” According to The Globe and Mail, the complaint alleges that several members of the team sexually assaulted her in a hotel room after a gala event held in 2018 to honor their victory at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship.
The woman claimed that she initially met one player at the bar and was subsequently taken to a hotel room. She alleged that the player then invited seven other individuals into the room, where they engaged in undisclosed sexual acts, intimidating her and preventing her from leaving. Additionally, she stated that the men instructed her to shower and requested that she falsely claim sobriety on video.
Flames Players Take Leave of Absence
All five players charged with sexual assault, including former NHL player Alex Formenton, have taken an indefinite leave of absence from their respective clubs in the past 10 days. The initial statement from the Flames cited mental health concerns as the reason for Dube’s absence. However, this statement has faced criticism in light of the sexual assault charge.
Flames Express Lack of Knowledge Regarding Charges
In a statement released Tuesday, the Flames clarified that they were unaware of the pending charges when granting Dube’s leave of absence. They emphasized their serious approach to the matter and stated that, due to the legal proceedings, they would refrain from further commenting at this time.
Initially, comments from social media users expressed concern for Dube’s mental health, but the sentiment quickly changed to anger following the news of the sexual assault charge. The Flames’ general manager, Brad Treliving, had previously stated that he was unaware of any involvement by Dube in the situation.
Attorneys for All Players Deny Wrongdoing
Attorneys representing all players involved have denied any wrongdoing. The Associated Press has contributed to this report.
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