Gilbert Rozon says sorry 'to all those who have been offended in my life'

Gilbert Rozon, the founder of Montreal’s Just For Laughs festival, has stood down from the organisation he led to be a global comedy brand in the wake of abuse allegations.

The 62-year-old quit as president of the company as well as commissioner of the organising committee of Montreal’s 375th anniversary celebrations and vice president of the Montreal Chamber of Commerce.

‘I am resigning out of respect for the employees and the families that work for these organisations as well as all our partners,’ he wrote in an official declaration on Facebook. ‘I certainly don’t want to overshadow their activities.

‘Shaken by the allegations, I wish to devote my time to the point. To all those who have been offended in my life, I am truly sorry.’

Canadian newspaper Le Devoir reported interviewing nine women about alleged harassment and sexual assault at Rozon’s hands over the last three decades.  The Montreal police department have not confirmed local radio reports that an investigation into these is under way.

The comments came a few hours after Quebec artist Guillaume Wagner  said he would no longer work for Just For Laughs ‘as long as someone who assaults is in charge’.

Rozon is also a judge on France Has Got Incredible Talent – and Paris broadcaster M6 today announced that they have suspended the broadcast of the forthcoming 12th season of the Simon Cowell format, whcih had been due to start next week.

In November 1998 Rozon pleaded guilty to sexual assault charges after groping a 19-year-old woman at a Just for Laughs party.

He founded the festival in 1983, and TV programmes from the festival are seen in 150 countries worldwide. At this year's event, a major expansion into Africa was announced.

Published: 19 Oct 2017