A Quebec Superior Court judge has ruled that Gilbert Rozon, the founder of Just For Laughs, must compensate eight out of the nine women who accused him of sexual assault and misconduct in a civil trial with a sum slightly exceeding $880,000. The women collectively sought damages of almost $14 million. During the trial, Patricia Tulasne, Lyne Charlebois, Anne-Marie Charette, Annick Charette, Sophie Moreau, Danie Frenette, Guylaine Courcelles, Mary Sicari, and Martine Roy shared their accounts of incidents dating back to the period between 1980 and 1994, and underwent cross-examination.
In a lengthy 600-page verdict issued on Tuesday, Judge Chantal Tremblay stated that all plaintiffs, except one, had substantiated their claims, with one case being fully rejected and another partially accepted. Tremblay emphasized that almost all women had convincingly proven that they had experienced one or more instances of sexual assault by Rozon.
The judge also dismissed four defamation lawsuits filed by Rozon, noting his failure to acknowledge the harm inflicted on the plaintiffs or show any remorse. Tremblay emphasized the need for a legal response proportional to the harm suffered and to hold the responsible party accountable.
Additionally, several witnesses, including seven other women alleging sexual abuse by Rozon, testified during the trial. Despite denying the allegations, Rozon was ordered to pay the compensation following the court ruling.
The women celebrated the court decision at a news conference, expressing relief and gratitude, and highlighting the victory not only for themselves but for all survivors of sexual assault. They commended the justice system for responding to sexual violence and encouraged others to speak out against abuse.
Judge Tremblay criticized Rozon for abusing his power as an employer to exploit and assault his victims, perpetuating myths and stereotypes about sexual assault victims throughout the legal proceedings. The judge highlighted instances where Rozon misused his authority to harass and assault women, exploiting work situations to target his victims.
The civil trial, which commenced in December 2024, evolved from a class-action lawsuit into individual suits following a 2020 Quebec Court of Appeal ruling. Rozon resigned as the president of Just For Laughs in 2017 amid public misconduct allegations and faced legal action thereafter.
Despite the compensation awarded, one of the plaintiffs emphasized that civil justice should not substitute criminal law in addressing sexual assault cases and called for greater support for victims within the criminal justice system. Rozon’s legal team expressed intentions to review the judgments before considering any appeals.