Canucks owner denies abuse allegations heard in Vancouver family court
The owner of the Vancouver Canucks has responded to bombshell allegations that he abused his children, which were heard during a family court proceeding this week.
In a statement, a representative for Francesco Aquilini said the Canucks owner "categorically denies, and is outraged by" the allegations levelled against him at a child support hearing in downtown Vancouver Tuesday.
"Mr. Aquilini has met and will continue to meet any child support obligations required by the law, but he has concerns about the veracity of the information provided in support of financial demands," the statement said. "It is unfortunate that allegations without merit are brought forward for a collateral purpose."
The Canucks owner's ex-wife, Tali'ah Aquilini, has applied for continued child support for three of their adult children, who continue to live with her while in university.
"It’s really disappointing that I have to keep coming back to court in order to try to enforce Francesco’s obligation to pay child support for the children,” she told reporters outside B.C. Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Her lawyer, Claire E. Hunter, wrote in a statement to CTV News that Francesco Aquilini has had affidavits from her client and all four of their children for "many months."
"He has not given any evidence denying any of that affidavit evidence," Hunter wrote.
Tali’ah Aquilini is also asking that the judge allow her to redact information from receipts when she submits them, so her ex-husband cannot find out information about where the children are going to school.
The court heard claims that the children suffered abuse and that is why they don’t want their father to know which school they're attending.
The NHL released a statement Wednesday confirming the league is aware of the allegations and has been in touch with Aquilini and his lawyers.
"Clearly, the parties have been involved in a most contentious divorce," the league said. "We plan to continue to monitor the situation and, if necessary, will respond as we learn more as events unfold."
The Aquilinis divorced in 2013.
Georgialee Lang, a family lawyer who closely followed the couple’s divorce proceedings, said in cases where adult children are estranged from a parent, that parent can argue against making support payments.
"It doesn't mean that he automatically doesn't have the obligation to pay child support, but he has an argument to make to the court as to why he shouldn't,” Lang explained.
A judge will have to determine if their estrangement is legitimate and the abuse allegations are true, the lawyer said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca