LOCAL NEWS Lawsuit defendants launch fundraiser

KAMLOOPS THISWEEK

Seven former Thompson Rivers University employees — and one current employee — being sued by the senior administrator who was cleared of harassment allegations following an investigation have launched a GoFundMe campaign to support their legal costs.

The fundraiser was launched on Feb. 12, a few days after KTW reported that TRU vice-president of finance and administration Matt Milovick is suing eight complainants who took part in the misconduct investigation.

See if lung screening is right for you: www.screeningbc.ca/lung

Milovick, who was cleared of 22 allegations of misconduct by investigators hired by the university, is seeking general damages, aggravated damages, exemplary and punitive damages, special damages, interest pursuant to the Court Order Interest Act and special costs.

He is also seeking a permanent injunction against those he is suing from further publication of what he alleges have been defamatory statements.

Amanda Ellison, fundraiser organizer and former associate director of human resources at TRU, wrote on the campaign webpage that the investigation has severely impacted the defendants, noting defence of the lawsuit can be expensive and “multiplies the risk, stress and costs each of us must now carry.”

“We deny all of the allegations in this suit,” Ellison wrote.

As of noon on Tuesday, Feb. 14, the campaign had raised almost $11,000 of its $50,000 goal.

“Please contribute what you can and know that your generosity will not only help us defend ourselves, but also defend the principle that complainants have the right to report their allega- tions without fear of a defamation suit,” Ellison wrote.

Through his lawyer, David Sutherland, who filed the lawsuit on Feb. 8, Milovick said he takes no issue with any complaint or process undertaken by the complainants within the boundaries of the investigation. What Milovick does take issue with is the disclosure by the complainant to the media of allegations as part of a “campaign of vilification” against himself outside the boundaries of the investigation.

The lawsuit alleges an email sent to the university board of governors by anonymous complainants on Feb. 8, 2021, contained “false and defamatory” allegations against Milovick.

The defendants in the lawsuit who are also part of the GoFundMe campaign include:

• Lucille Gnanasihamany, former associate vice-president of marketing and communications at TRU;

• Jim Gudjonson, former environment and sustainability director at TRU;

• Stacey Jykkanen, former community safety and emergency management manager at TRU;

• Amanda Ellison, former associate director of human resources at TRU;

• Charis Kamphuis, current associate law professor at TRU;

• Meaghan Hagerty, former sexualized violence prevention and response manager at TRU;

• Deanne Brkovich, former contracted talent acquisition consultant at TRU;

• Laura Cooke, former organizational engagement and learning manager at TRU.

The fundraiser can be found online at gofundme. com by searching “TRU Complainants Now Defendants.”

Canada’s oil and gas industry has a positive impact in B C – 55,000 jobs and a $9 billion contribution to B C ’s economy Find out more reasons you can feel good about Canada’s oil and gas at madethecanadianway ca

Local News

In Case You Missed It

These stories can be read in full, online at