TW: Sexual assault.
Brampton’s Integrity Commissioner issued a devastating report on Friday against Wards 9/10 Regional Councillor Gurpreet Dhillon in a case involving sexual misconduct allegations levied by the owner of a Brampton Hair Salon.
“…I find that Councillor Dhillon tried to force himself onto the Complainant in her hotel room at Movenpick Hotel in Ankara, Turkey, between the late hours of November 14, 2019 and the early hours of November 15, 2019.
I find that the Complainant made it clear that she did not want to engage in any sexual contact or sexual activity with Councillor Dhillon while he was in her hotel room that night. This is exhibited through the transcript of the audio recording, which I have attached to the report. The audio recording makes it very clear how vigorously the Complainant was refusing Councillor Dhillon while he was trying to force himself onto her. The Complainant said “no” a total of 74 times. During the audio recording, I could hear the Complainant’s voice becoming distant from the recording device as she continually pleaded with Councillor Dhillon to put her down. It is further clear that Councillor Dhillon forcefully lifted up the Complainant’s Skirt while he had her in his grip and while she was off the ground.
The audio recording also makes it evident how traumatized and panicked the Complainant was after Councillor Dhillon exited the room. In the audio recording, I could hear the Complainant approach the recording device, while she began panting uncontrollably.
In reviewing the evidence from the various individuals that I interviewed, it is clear to me that they were of the view (generally) that the Complainant seemed unwell, disturbed, and traumatized by the sexual misconduct she experienced at the hands of Councillor Dhillon.
It is clear to me, through my investigative interview, that Councillor Dhillon attended the Trade Mission for the purpose of work for the City of Brampton. Not only was the trip paid for by the City of Brampton, Councillor Dhillon made it evident to the Complainant that he was the “Councillor for Brampton”, a fact that the Complainant repeats to Councillor Dhillon in the audio recording.”
Transcript of in-room audio recording
Councillor Gurpreet Dhillon and Compainant
Audio recording length: 2 minutes and 57 seconds
Source: 2020-03 Brampton Integrity Commissioner Report
| [scrambling sound] | |
| Complainant | Please. Please. No. Please, come on. Noo. No, no, no |
| Dhillon | Come on. |
| Complainant | I… I need to shower. I. .. I’m tired. |
| Dhillon | It’s okay. |
| Complainant | [in loud voice] Noo! No! |
| Dhillon | I’m tired too. Let me just get a glass of water? |
| Complainant | Noo. Noo. Go. Come on. I’ll give you… I’ll give you the bottle |
| Dhillon | [inaudible sound] |
| Complainant | Okay? Come on. Go. Go rest tonight. [inaudible] You can have water. |
| Complainant | Just go, rest [pouring water sound]…and… and let … |
| Dhillon | [inaudible sound] |
| Complainant | No! |
| Dhillon | Just… |
| Complainant | No! [Loud sound – sound of putting glass down] No! Stop! Come on. Listen. If you’re gonna do this. I’m gonna be upset. |
| Dhillon | Just…just… [talking over]. Please? |
| Complainant | Don’t. Please. No. Come on. |
| Dhillon | Don’t be upset. Don’t be upset. |
| Complainant | Okay. Don’t. Just…just goo [whining]. |
| [loud sound] | |
| Dhillon | [inaudible mumbling] |
| Complainant | NO! No, no, no. But…like, please. Come on. You don’t even know me, like…you can’t! You can’t! |
| Dhillon | I know you. [inaudible] Why would you be upset if I… [inaudible] |
| Complainant | I don’t know! I…Thank you… I… I… I am. I’m…I’m a very good person but please. Don’t. Come on? Please? |
| Dhillon | Just… just… just… just… |
| Complainant | Noo [whining]. No. No. No. Please. Like. |
| Dhillon | Just… just… |
| Complainant | Your’re the… |
| Dhillon | Just… just… |
| Complainant | Your’re the Councillor of Brampton! You’re! Come on! |
| [chuckling sound] | |
| Complainant | I… I know we’re here and everything else. I… I feel bad. You’re sick and everything. Just go get rest. Just go get rest, please? |
| Dhillon | Just… |
| Complainant | …Noo! [whining] No, no, no, no. |
| Dhillon | Just… just do me a favour and then I’ll leave. I’ll… |
| Complainant | NO! |
| Dhillon | I’ll leave right away. |
| Complainant | No! No! No!. Please. No. |
| Dhillon | I’ll leave right away. |
| Complainant | Come on? Please. Please? |
| Dhillon | Just do me a… okay. |
| Complainant | Listen. I can… I can meet tomorrow. See. Don’t… don’t [inaudible]. Nothing… |
| Dhillon | [inaudible] |
| Complainant | Nooo! NO! STOP! |
| Dhillon | Just one second. |
| Complainant | STOP! Please! Please! Please! No, no, no, no. |
| Dhillon | Just listen. Hear me out. Hear me out first. Hear me out. |
| Complainant | No. Noooo… [whining] no, no. Nooo [whining]. Please. Please. Come on. Please. |
| Dhillon | I’ll… |
| Complainant | Please. |
| Dhillon | Listen. Listen. One sec. |
| Complainant | Please. |
| Dhillon | I’ll put a timer on. |
| Complainant | NOOOOO! [yelling] NO! Come on! You..Stop! Please. |
| Dhillon | Just…just… |
| Complainant | Nooo [whining]. Please. No, no,no. Noooo [whining]. Come on. Please. Come on. |
| Dhillon | Just… |
| Complainant | No. No, no, no, no. Please. Stop. No. Stop it! Please! Don’t! |
| Dhillon | [moaning or deep breathing sound] |
| Complainant | Please! No! Put me down! Please! Please stop! Please. Noo. Please. No. No. No. [voice becomes distant] Please. Stop. Nooo! [whining] Please. Stop. Sto-ooop. |
| Dhillon | [grunting sound] |
| Complainant | Stop. Please. [deep sigh] Please. Sto…[deep sigh]. Plea…no! No! No! Please please… put my skirt down. Oh my god [crying sound]! Please, no! Please stop! Please. |
| Dhillon | Come on. |
| Complainant | Nooo! [whining] No. Please. You go rest today. Please? Please? |
| Dhillon | Just give me a… |
| Complainant | …No! |
| Dhillon | Just give me a little bit before I leave. |
| Complainant | Nooo [whining]. No. |
| Dhillon | Please. Please. |
| Complainant | Please not today. No. No. No. Not today. Please. Not today. |
| Dhillon | [inaudible] |
| Complainant | Nothing! A… [sigh] You don’t even know me like that. Don’t! Don’t! Please. Listen, you’re a married man. I’m a married woman. Don’t. Please. Come on? Come on? |
| Dhillon | Alright. |
| Complainant | Okay? |
| Dhillon | Alright. |
| Complainant | Come on. Go get well. |
| Dhillon | Alright. |
| Complainant | Come on. |
| [voices getting disant] | |
| [door opening sound] | |
| Dhillon | So… see you tomorrow then? |
| Complainant | I’ll see you tomorrow. |
| Dhillon | Alright. |
| Complainant | Get well. Okay? [door sound] Goodnight. |
| [door closing sound] | |
| [door locking sound] | |
| Complainant | Fuck! |
| [picking up recording device sound] | |
| Complainant | [deep and heavy panting and breathing sound] |
The Salon owner (Complainant) participated in a business event in Turkey with the Canadian Turkish Business Council during November 2019 at which Councillor Dhillon also attended in place of Mayor Patrick Brown. The complainant was able to record 3 minutes of an interaction with Councillor Dhillon in her hotel room on Nov 14/15 that she says lasted for 30 minutes. The Integrity Commissioner details graphic and disturbing allegations that are corroborated in the audio recording:
“The audio recording makes it very clear how vigorously the Complainant was refusing Councillor Dhillon while he was trying to force himself onto her. The Complainant said “no” a total of 74 times. During the audio recording, I could hear the Complainant’s voice becoming distant from the recording device as she continually pleaded with Councillor Dhillon to put her down. It is further clear that Councillor Dhillon forcefully lifted up the Complainant’s Skirt while he had her in his grip and while she was off the ground.”
The Complainant approached the Mayor and his staff on her return to Brampton which prompted Mayor Brown to notify the Integrity Commissioner and Peel’s Police Chief of the issue. The Integrity Commissioner spoke with Peel Police on December 19th and was informed that neither Peel Police nor the RCMP were investigating the matter. Since there was no criminal investigation, the Integrity Commissioner decided to “resurrect” her own investigation.
Councillor Dhillon through his lawyer contends that the city’s Integrity Commissioner did not have jurisdiction to review the matter and declined to meet with her. In a statement released late Friday night, Councillor Dhillon said “I completely deny the allegations and conclusions made in this report.” He also said that “this is a one-sided, politically driven report.”
The Integrity Commissioner in her report said that Councillor Dhillon failed to cooperate with her investigation and refused to participate in the investigative interview. She adds that if she had the ability to implement penalties as to the Respectful Workplace Policy, she would recommend that Councillor Dhillon be dismissed from his role. Instead, a 90-day suspension without pay is recommended (the most severe available).
The next city council meeting is scheduled on Wednesday August 5th. No indication has been given if a discussion on the Integrity Commissioner’s report will be included on the agenda.
Day 1 in Turkey at the Canadian-Turkey Trade Mission where various government and business leaders met to discuss trade...
Posted by Gurpreet Singh Dhillon on Friday, November 15, 2019
