Julie Snyder testified Thursday at the civil trial of Gilbert Rozon, in solidarity with the nine women who accuse the former boss of Just for Laughs of sexual assault.
Ms. Snyder is not one of the plaintiffs, who are seeking $14 million in damages from Mr. Rozon.
Rather, she is part of a group of eight women who agreed to add their testimonies to support the prosecution, and to demonstrate that there was repetition in the behavior alleged against Mr. Rozon.
Julie Snyder recounted events that took place in Paris in 1991, while she was staying in a staff apartment of the Just for Laughs organization. She was then 23 years old.
The host said she felt a lot of pressure on her back while she was sleeping. At that moment, she thought it was a burglar who wanted to stab her.
Turning around, she saw a hand on one of her breasts and the face of Gilbert Rozon.
While she says she felt immense relief when she realized it wasn’t a criminal with a knife, she also understood what awaited her. I won’t get killed, I will get raped
she thought.
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Julie Snyder Thursday at the Montreal courthouse.
Photo : Ivanoh Demers
Ms. Snyder managed to free herself to go to the bathroom and took the opportunity to run away to the Champs-Élysées.
Gilbert Rozon strongly denies these allegations. Julie Snyder is also the subject of a defamation suit by the ex-producer.
This is the ninth day of the trial of the founder of Just for Laughs.
After the Court of Appeal refused to authorize a class action against Mr. Rozon, nine women filed individual suits.
They are Lyne Charlebois, Guylaine Courcelles, Annick Charette, Patricia Tulasne, Danie Frenette, Anne Marie Charette, Mary Sicari, Sophie Moreau and Martine Roy.
Their case is heard by Judge Chantal Tremblay, of the Superior Court, and 43 days of hearings are scheduled until March 28, 2025.
With information from Amélie Desmarais
