Ghomeshi suing CBC for $50M after getting fired

 (Updated)

Lawyers for the former host of one of the CBC’s most successful shows will file a 50-million dollar lawsuit against the public broadcaster this morning.

Jian Ghomeshi’s lawsuit comes after his sudden firing on Sunday, when the CBC said information had come to their attention that quote “precludes us from continuing our relationship.” Ghomeshi had been co-creator and host of “Q” since 2007. In a statement released on Facebook last night, Ghomeshi said he was fired over the CBC’s concerns that his private sex life was becoming public as a result of a campaign of false allegations pursued by a jilted ex girlfriend and a freelance writer.

Ghomeshi describes a personal relationship that involved specific types of sexual behavior which, in his words: “may be strange, enticing, weird, normal, or outright offensive to others.” But he says he “only participates in sexual practices that are mutually agreed upon, consensual, and exciting for both partners.”

Ghomeshi also references an investigation by a major media organization that didn’t result in any reporting about him. Since his statement was published, the Toronto Star says it had spoken to three women who described relationships that allegedly included non-consensual physical and verbal assaults, but the women feared ridicule if they tried to press charges against him. Ghomeshi’s firing came after the Star says it gave the information to the CBC. Ghomeshi says the allegations are untrue, and there have never been any formal complaints about his behaviour.

Monday, “Q” is being hosted by Brent Banbury. Besides acknowledging that it is a hard day for listeners and insisting that the “Q” team is still committed, he did not talk about the allegations against Ghomeshi.