Prince George, B.C.- The former CEO of the Vancouver Olympics, John Furlong,   will seek legal action against the Georgia Straight in the wake of a story published by the paper today alleging he physically abused First Nations students while he worked at a school in Burns Lake in the late 60’s.

 

 

In a brief media conference held this hour, Furlong delivered a brief statement:

 “As you are aware, I have been accused today, in this article of physical abuse, and apparently, within the last hour of sexual abuse. I want you to know that I categorically deny, absolutely, any wrong doing and I believe that the RCMP, in looking into this matter, will discredit the complaint entirely because it just didn’t happen.”

 

Furlong went on to say he is proud of the work he has done in the North and with First Nations and Aboriginal communities.

 

He says the article deals with “very serious and unfounded allegations that are completely without merit.”   He says he has encouraged the police to continue their investigation into the allegations “and especially how they were arrived at.” He says   that as a result of this inaccurate reporting his reputation has been “recklessly challenged and I have no choice now but to proceed with legal action.” He says the Georgia Straight newspaper “ did not place one single call”  to him to validate any of the elements of this story. “Having experienced this reporter on many occasions in the past, this feels very much like a personal vendetta” said Furlong who added that “on the very first occasion this was brought to my attention, prior to the Olympic Games, I was advised that for a payment it could be made to go away, and as such,  I reported the matter to the police.”

 

He says he didn’t mention his time in Burns Lake in his book because it was “fairly brief and uneventful.”

 

Mr. Furlong’s lawyer remarked that Furlong has no other choice now but to go to the courts to seek full and complete recourse for the damage that has been caused to him. Furlong intends to pursue the matter in the court against the reporter and her publisher.