 Russell Williams. (QMI Agency file photo)
|
BELLEVILLE, Ont. – The estranged wife of convicted killer Russell Williams has filed a statement of defence against a lawsuit launched by one of her ex-husband's sexual assault victims.
In a document filed at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Belleville, Ont., Mary Elizabeth Harriman refutes all claims made against her by Laurie Massicotte.
“We’re going to vigourously defend the claims set out against Mary Elizabeth Harriman,” Mary-Jane Binks, Harriman’s Ottawa lawyer, told QMI Agency.
“We think there’s no basis whatsoever. The revelation of what transpired with respect to former colonel Williams has been devastating (to Harriman).
“I’m acting for a courageous lady — a very good and courageous lady.”
Massicotte’s lawyer, David Ross of Belleville, was unavailable for comment Tuesday.
Williams is serving life in prison. He was convicted in October 2010 of attacking Massicotte and another Tweed, Ont., woman, and of killing Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 37, of Brighton, Ont., and Jessica Lloyd, 27, of Belleville.
He was also convicted of committing dozens of break-and-enters and thefts in Belleville, Tweed and Ottawa.
Massicotte filed a statement of claim on Sept. 23, 2011, seeking monetary damages against Williams, Harriman and the Ontario Provincial Police. She and her three daughters, who are also named as plaintiffs in her lawsuit, are seeking $7 million.
They allege Harriman committed a fraudulent transfer and/or disposal of assets when she and Williams made a domestic contract in March 2010.
Their claims have not been proven in court.
“Harriman expressly denies any intention to defeat the claims of any creditors of the defendant Williams,” according to the statement of defence.
Harriman is the associate executive director of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. She and Williams are in the midst of divorce proceedings in an Ottawa court.
“Her stature in the community is exemplary,” her defence states. “Harriman is secure in her employment, has strong ties to the Ottawa community and there are no grounds to believe that she is going to abscond from the jurisdiction.”
It adds the “conveyance was not made secretly but was duly registered” and was done strictly to ensure her financial security.
“There was no unusual haste to make the conveyance in light of all the circumstances facing Harriman and Williams,” it reads. “There is nothing untoward or suspicious about the transfer.”
The file states she has “no knowledge” of many of the claims and “expressly denies the plaintiffs are entitled to any of the relief sought.”
Harriman has made a motion to seal details of her professional life, personal finances and legal affairs disclosed in another civil suit, filed by Jane Doe, Williams’ other surviving sexual assault victim. That motion is now in a state of temporary suspension, Binks said.
Harriman’s statement of defence against Massicotte indicates she will also move to seal details in the Massicotte case, which is to be tried in Belleville.
Binks said it’s unclear how long the civil suits will take to resolve.
“I can’t venture an estimate at this time.”
