“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 serene on Wednesday morning in the corridors of the Montreal courthouse, welcoming, as he used to, the journalists who were waiting for him near the courtroom.

When one of them asks him Are you stressed, Mr. 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 in early June, during the week during which he was called upon to testify. The latter had multiplied the statements in front of the cameras, believing that it was “carried away in the #Moiaussi movement” and served as a “scapegoat”.

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Before the storm

Mr. Rozon remembers the atmosphere frightening Who reigned in his close circle, after being informed that journalistic articles alleging sexual misconducts were to appear in the early hours.

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

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

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

In less than an hour, there are 30 million dollars that evaporate. On a turnover of $ 120 million, it’s huge.

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

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

In a meeting with his guard closely gathered in his large office – family members and just for laughs – he is recommended to resign from his position to the management of the company. Request to which he nods.

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

Back to the evening of the Rouville manor

For the first time, Mr. Rozon gave details on the events that occurred in his Rouville manor room with a young dealer in 1998, who had 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 and 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, the assistant for just for laughter, Gisèle Baril, informs Mr. Rozon that the young woman would have been afraid and that it’s more serious Let him think it.

There follows one media hurricanewho had 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.

Whoever spent his career with artists and in contexts of festive and watered galas explained to the judge that he has always sought despite the jet-set the 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 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 ofefficiencyand not of debauchery that Mr. Rozon claims to have consumed microdoses d’ecstasy during intense work periods.

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 and 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 touching and sexual assaults that they say they have taken place 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 and 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 was chosen against Gilbert Rozon and the latter had been, in 2020, acquired accusations of rape and modesty attacking against him. The judge had argued that the reasonable doubt had played in favor of Mr. Rozon.