Spider-Man NL Posted December 20, 2003 Share Posted December 20, 2003 TSN.ca with files from CP 12/18/2003 Allegations of sexual abuse have been made against former Toronto Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard. The 49-year-old woman, whose uncle once worked at Maple Leaf Gardens, alleges Ballard abused her for several years, beginning at the age of 10 and concluding eight years later. According to a report in the Toronto Star, the woman identified only as 'R.M.' is to be questioned Thursday by lawyers of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the firm against which the Superior Court claim has been made. Since the claim was filed more than two years after Ballard's death, the former owner's estate is not included as a defendant. ''The only people who really know what happened were those who were there,'' said Ken Dryden, vice chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. ''Sometimes with assault cases, it takes years for people to say anything. This is really something the courts will decide.'' According to the claim, the abuse took place in various locations, including the underground parking garage at Maple Leaf Gardens, the arena's rafters and the Hot Stove Lounge. The woman said at the time she thought of Ballard as a 'kindly grandfather-like figure' who often gave her popcorn and other gifts. A sex scandal at Maple Leaf Gardens surfaced in the mid-1990s with confidential settlements reached in many cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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