(Vanessa Brisson posted a photo of herself and Patrick Brazeau on April 26. Facebook)
By Jorge Barrera
APTN National News
Troubled suspended Senator Patrick Brazeau is no longer required to stay away from the woman he allegedly assaulted on April 10, according to a recent filing in Quebec provincial court.
Amendments to Brazeau’s release conditions filed with the court Wednesday removed the name of Vanessa Brisson. The amendment document was signed by Crown Stephany Robitaille, Brazeau’s defence lawyer Gerard Larocque and Brazeau.
Brazeau was required to stay away from and not communicate with Brisson as a result of an incident that unfolded in the early morning hours of April 10 at the woman’s Gatineau, Que., home. Brazeau was charged by Gatineau police with assault, uttering threats, cocaine possession and breach of conditions following the incident which also involved another man.
Brazeau, who is Algonquin, is still required to stay away from and not communicate with Marc Lamontagne, the man Brazeau allegedly threatened during the same incident.
There was no indication in his court file that any of the charges against Brazeau have been withdrawn.
He has pleaded not guilty.
The removal of Brisson’s name from Brazeau’s conditions likely came at her request. She posted a photo of herself and Brazeau on her Facebook page on April 26.
Brisson, who works as a server at a Gatineau sports bar, could not be reached for comment.
His next court appearance is scheduled for June 17.
Brazeau is also facing sexual assault and assault charges against another woman. According to court documents about the February 2013 incident,
Brazeau allegedly choked and spat on the woman, grabbed her breasts and pushed her down the stairs. The documents also allege he pulled her pants down hard enough to snap a button and break a zipper.
The trial for the 2013 incident is expected to cross-pollinate with another set of Ontario charges laid by the RCMP in relation to a separate investigation into Senate expenses and housing allowance claims.
Brazeau, along with retired Liberal Senator Mac Harb, were both charged with fraud and breach of trust this year following that investigation.
Gerard Larocque, who is representing Brazeau in Quebec, said he had obtained video of the RCMP’s interview of the victim from the 2013 incident as part of a recent batch of disclosure. The woman was interviewed as part of the RCMP’s investigation into Brazeau’s Senate housing allowance claims.
Larocque hopes to use the video interview to test the woman’s credibility in the assault and sexual assault trial.
Brazeau was suspended from the Senate last year over his expense and housing claims. The Senate also suspended Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Brazeau to the Senate.
@JorgeBarrera
