“I would prefer to die that the company die”: Gilbert Rozon returns to the bar

Back at the witnesses mark on Wednesday as part of the civil trial brought by nine requests which accuse him of touching or sexual assaults, Gilbert Rozon was invited by his lawyers to give details on the state of mind reigned in the crisis cell set up by the management team of just for laughs in order to respond to the allegations that made him sink, him and his empire of humor.

Gilbert Rozon arrived calm on Wednesday morning in the corridors of the Montreal courthouse. Consequently, welcoming, as he used to, journalists waiting for him near the courtroom.

When one of them asked him Are you stressed, Mr. However, Rozon? The latter refrained from responding, continuing his way without flinching.

His restraint contrasts with the component he had demonstrated in front of the cameras “i would prefer die company in early June. Moreover, during the week during which he was called upon to testify. Moreover, He had multiplied the statements in front of the cameras. In addition, believing that he was “carried away in the #Moiaussi movement” and served as a “scapegoat”.

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Before the “i would prefer die company storm

Mr. Consequently, Rozon remembers the atmosphere frightening who reigned in his close circle after being informed that journalistic articles. Consequently, about alleged sexual misconducts were to appear in the early morning.

I see a storm coming […]I’m waiting to see what it will behe recalls.

In a short period of time. Additionally, Consequently, cancellations and contract gels follow one another, seriously compromising the affairs of his just for laughter Empire.

The co -founder of the festival. In addition, Alain Cousineau, white like a sheetshows him an email from Quebecor announcing the suspension of an important contract. Meanwhile, E -mails of this kind have multiplied in the hours that followed.

In less than an hour. However, there are 30 million dollars that evaporate. However, On “i would prefer die company a turnover of $ 120 million, it’s huge.

The former president of the Metropolitan Montreal Chamber of Commerce. Meanwhile, Michel Leblanc, asked him to resign from his post as vice-president to lighten the pressure on the organization. In addition, He receives a similar appeal from the organizers of the 375 celebrations^e From Montreal. Therefore, who ask him to renounce his role as a commissioner for the celebrations.

The people around me were in panic for their jobs. In addition, for the company.

In a meeting with his close guard gathered in his large office – family members. However, just for laughs – he is recommended to resign from his position to the management of the company, asks which he “i would prefer die company nods.

Like captain of the boat. Similarly, my role is to save passengers. However, I would prefer to die personally that the company dies […]. It is the work of a life.

The months that followed were a ordeal for Mr. Rozon. The first days. it is adrenaline that keeps you alive, as [après] An accident, [mais] I had to sell the companyhe said.

I thought of getting involved, because I was really massacred and I was no longer functionaladded Mr. Rozon, who however given up there because he wanted avoid curatorship.

"i would prefer die company

Divergent versions

Gilbert Rozon was able to give his version of the facts about four of. the nine “i would prefer die company testimonies of the requests on Wednesday afternoon. He repeated having had consenting relationships with three of them.

For example, in Annick Charette’s file, Mr. Rozon said that he had invited the plaintiff at home in Saint-Sauveur, after having gone a drink with her.

I started making her advances, quite simple, caressed in the back, and we kissed. Immediately I slipped my hand under her long long dress, she stiffhe explained.

To Mr. Rozon’s proposal. they slept in different rooms, he says, but In the day, the next day, I ended up with Madame in my bed.

She made her love on me. Others would consider it as an assault.

Annick Charette claims to have been raped by Gilbert Rozon in “i would prefer die company June 1980. Mr. Rozon would have dragged her into a residence in Saint-Sauveur. where he would have thrown himself on her by putting his hand in his neckline and trying to take off her panties. She also claims to have slept in a separate room. but when she would have woken up, the defendant was on her, determined to have a sexual relation to which she would have resigned herself.

In 2017, only the complaint of Annick Charette led to criminal accusations of rape and modesty. In December 2020, after a trial before the Court of Quebec during which he denied alleged crimes, Gilbert Rozon was acquitted.

In the case of Lyne Charlebois and Patricia Tulasne, Mr. Rozon repeated on Wednesday that relations were consensual.

Compared to Guylaine Courcelle, Mr. Rozon simply claims to know her and qualified his allegations as badly written fiction.

Back on the evening at Manoir Rouville

For the first time, Mr. Furthermore, Rozon gave details on the events that occurred in his Rouville Manor room with a young rustler in 1998. who then accused him of sexual assault. Recall that Mr. Rozon had pleaded guilty in this case and benefited from an unconditional absolution.

His lawyers questioned him about events.

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At the table of a casino which had been organized at the Rouville manor. I dredged her with my humor, I found her prettysaid Rozon. The latter admitted to him legs . shoulders, but I did not go to his private parts in any wayhe insisted.

Between 7 and 10 minutes have passed, according to Mr. Rozon, between the arrival of the dealer in the room and his departure. He reports having felt that the young woman was anxious until [il] said to him. “If you want to leave, go ahead.” The young dealer then left the room.

The day after the events, a partner of just for laughter management, Gisèle Baril, informed Mr. Rozon that the young woman would have been afraid. that c'[était] more serious that he “i would prefer die company did not think it.

Then followed a media hurricane who led Mr. Rozon to resign from his functions as CEO of his business. Although he wanted to go to the trial, Mr. Rozon ended up negotiating an amicable agreement with the young woman.

Microdosage d’ecstasy

Mr. Rozon was also invited by his lawyers to detail his drug and alcohol consumption habits.

This man who spent his career with artists. in contexts of festive and watered galas explained to the judge that he has always sought, Despite the Jet-Setthe balance between too austere and the too festive.

It is the wine that Mr. Rozon prefers, but in terms of drugs, he claimed to have Everything tried once or “i would prefer die company twice.

However. he wants to set the record straight on the myth who surrounded him since the late 1980s, early 1990s, wanting him to be a great consumer: it is for reasons ofefficiency and not of debauchery that Mr. Rozon claims to have consumed microdoses d’ecstasy during periods of intensive work.

The testimony of Pierre Karl Péladeau postponed

The testimony of Quebecor leader. Pierre Karl Péladeau, who was called to the bar on Thursday, was postponed to August 29.

The two parties must agree on what must be deposited as proof with regard to the cassation of the business relationship between just for laughter. Quebecor.

The nine complainants (Patricia Tulasne. Lyne Charlebois, Anne-Marie Charrette, Annick Charrette, Sophie Moreau, Danie Frenette, Guylaine Courcelles, Mary Sicari and Martine Roy) claim nearly $ 14 million in damages for “i would prefer die company touching and sexual assaults that they say they have suffered and which would have occurred between 1982 and 2004.

Gilbert Rozon has denied these allegations from the start.

The former Prime Minister of Quebec Pierre Marc Johnson also defended him in early June. The latter described Mr. Rozon as a rich, attractive man and womanizer [coureur de jupons, NDLR].

The actor. director Serge Postigo – who was assigned to appear – said he had never witnessed inappropriate behavior by Mr. Rozon.

However, this is not the first time that Mr. Rozon has been in court for sexual allegations.

Only one criminal complaint had been chosen against Gilbert Rozon. the latter had been acquitted in 2020 accusations of rape and indefinitement of the modesty against him. The judge had argued that the reasonable doubt had played in favor of Mr. “i would prefer die company Rozon.