Reporter asks for $100,000 security in libel case involving former Olympic CEO

VANCOUVER – A freelance journalist behind an article alleging former Vancouver Olympic CEO John Furlong verbally and physically abused British Columbia students in the 1960s and ’70s is asking a judge to force Furlong to put up a $100,000 security.

Furlong is suing Laura Robinson for an article she wrote for the Georgia Straight newspaper, which quoted several students who said they were assaulted by Furlong when he was a teacher in northern B.C.

Furlong has denied any wrongdoing and has accused Robinson of maliciously attacking him and then abusing the court process.

Robinson is asking a B.C. Supreme Court judge to order Furlong put up $100,000 as a security to ensure he would be able to pay Robinson’s legal bills if he loses.

Her lawyer, Jeremy Shragge, is repeating Robinson’s complaints that Furlong has not done more to bring the case to trial.

Furlong filed an affidavit with the court last week, accusing Robinson of a destructive campaign to attack his reputation and claiming his financial livelihood has suffered as a result.