An Ontario Superior Court judge has acquitted high-profile beverage entrepreneur Frank D’Angelo of sexual assault.
"Based on the totality of the evidence I have a reasonable doubt," said Justice John Hamilton in a brief judgment issued Tuesday morning in a Toronto courtroom.
A now 22-year-old woman testified that she was coerced into having sex for more than an hour with D’Angelo, 49, in early June 2007 in his hotel room in northwest Toronto.
D’Angelo, the former head of Steelback Brewery, denied the allegations in testimony Monday during the one-day trial.
The judge said he found both the testimony of the woman and D’Angelo to be credible, yet he concluded the Crown had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
D’Angelo regained control of his company D’Angelo Brands last year, after it had gone into creditor protection in 2007.
He has been known for somewhat corny television ads for his products featuring retired NHL players. He also convinced former sprinter Ben Johnson to appear in a television ad for the Cheetah sports drink.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.