The family of John Furlong, former VANOC CEO, has released a statement in light of new allegations of abuse involving his first wife and common-law partner.
Furlong calls the allegations “completely unfounded.”
The former Olympic CEO issued a statement Tuesday, saying he will respond in court to the latest claims.
Here is the original statement from John Furlong family:
During the Olympic excitement three years ago, when John Furlong was finishing a decade of service to this country, we would never have imagined this day, stepping forward to defend our father. We, Maria, Johnnie, Damien, Emma, Molly, our mother Margaret, our step-mother Gail and our children — 11 of them — feel compelled to make a public statement. Serious, unsubstantiated allegations regarding abuse inside our family have been published. These shocking allegations are without merit and portray a character whom none of us recognizes. We are being subjected to shame and embarrassment by misuse of journalistic privilege and license. Imagine trying to explain to your nine year old child that an adult in a position of power has written that Grandpa is a racist, a wife-beater and a rapist because of what appears to be personal enmity. This is not objective journalism, but self-serving, sensationalistic misuse of the media. Obscene accusations and innuendo have now been printed nation-wide and nothing could possibly undo that. The public should be deeply concerned at the power of a single journalist whose words can smash into a family like a wrecking-ball.
We politely ask that you respect our privacy as this will be our only statement.
The Furlong Family
~With files from the Canadian Press
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