A male former York University student is the latest person to come forward with allegations involving Jian Ghomeshi, just hours after the CBC announced the name of the person who would lead the network’s independent investigation into the behaviour of the former ‘Q’ host.
The latest allegation comes in a Toronto Star article posted online Tuesday night.
According to the report, the allegation stems from an alleged incident involving the former student and Ghomeshi that occurred in the early 1990’s, while Ghomeshi was the president of the York Federation of Students.
In the report, the former student alleges that Ghomeshi grabbed his genitals and fondled him while the two waited for an elevator.
The latest allegation comes just hours after the CBC sent out a memo to staff advising that employment lawyer Janice Rubin, described in the memo as a “leading authority” on workplace harassment, would lead the network’s independent investigation into multiple allegations surrounding Ghomeshi.
“She has conducted investigations into allegations of harassment, bullying and poisoned work environment and other employee misconduct,” Heather Conway, the company’s executive vice-president of English Services, said in the written statement.
The statement went on to encourage employees who worked on ‘Q’ or ‘play,’ another show Ghomeshi hosted at the CBC, who have “complaints, concerns or experiences they wish to share regarding harassment, discrimination, violence or other inappropriate workplace conduct” to contact Rubin.
“Please be assured, these conversations will be handled sensitively and any individual who comes forward will be treated with care and respect,” Conway said.
Rubin’s findings will be outlined in a final report to CBC/Radio-Canada senior management but Conway assures staff that the complaints will remain confidential.
A separate report, Conway said, will outline recommendations for steps the CBC can take to prevent ‘similar issues’ from arising in the organization.
Allegations of Ghomeshi’s violent behavior came after The Toronto Star published accounts from multiple women who say the former CBC radio host assaulted them.
Ghomeshi has denied any wrongdoing and says all relations were consensual.
Toronto police launched a criminal investigation into the allegations after three women came forward but police say no charges have been laid.
The current executive producer of 'Q,' Arif Noorani, has taken a leave of absence amid the Ghomeshi scandal.
Noorani told CP24 Tuesday that "at no point" were sexual harassment allegations ever brought to his attention.
