Brampton Mayor settles defamation lawsuit against CTV after sexual misconduct allegations

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown says he’s looking “towards the future” after settling his defamation lawsuit against CTV News.

Now mayor of Brampton, Brown stepped down as leader of Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario in January 2018 after a CTV ran a story alleging sexual misconduct by the longtime Ontario politician.

Brown sued the broadcaster for defamation, and in a joint statement on Tuesday the mayor and CTV National News said they reached a settlement.

The story initially reported that one of the women alleging misconduct against Brown said she was in high school when they met at a bar, but the woman later said she was actually 19 years old at the time of the alleged incident.

CTV said it “regrets” including “factually incorrect” details in the story.

“Key details provided to CTV for the story were factually incorrect and required correction,” the statement reads. “CTV National News regrets including those details in the story and any harm this may have caused to Mr. Brown.”

In his suit, Brown alleged the outlet “falsely, maliciously, unfairly and irresponsibly broadcast” the story.

Brown was reportedly seeking $8 million in damages, but according to CTV no damages were part of the settlement.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, which happened to be the anniversary of Brown’s engagement to his wife, the mayor said he was grateful for his spouse’s support and for standing by his side “through a very difficult period.”

“I’m very happy that this is behind me and I’m looking forward to the future, but I’ve got an incredible family – my sisters and my wife that were incredible in this period – and I’m looking with optimism towards the future,” he added.

Brown is just days away from announcing if he’ll run for leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and said he is “going to make a decision very soon.”

Brown has previous experience in Ottawa as MP for the riding of Barrie for three terms.