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Author Galloway 'floored' by accuser's emails disclosed in his defamation lawsuit
Galloway says the emails helped damage his reputation and career, while several defendants have settled and apologized over the allegations.
On Wednesday, author Steven Galloway testified in Vancouver at the British Columbia Supreme Court that he was "floored" by emails disclosed during his defamation lawsuit over unproven sexual assault allegations.
Galloway described the University's 2015 public suspension announcement as "verdict first, trial second," arguing it stemmed from emails where the defendant threatened a "big public thing" to protect institutional image.
Defense lawyer Arden Beddoes stated the defendant has amended her defense to claim she "reported sexual assaults" rather than asserting she was sexually assaulted, though Beddoes maintains his client is not admitting falsity.
Justice Neena Sharma questioned Beddoes on the distinction between finding an allegation false and a "presumption of falsity," stating that withdrawing a defense without admitting falsity "doesn't make falsity irrelevant."
Lawyer Daniel Burnett argued Galloway's testimony is relevant to damages due to the "outrageous fabrication" of the claims, while Beddoes sought an indefinite publication ban based on the defendant's mental health concerns.