After three years under the dark cloud of career-killing accusations, Toronto Councillor Michael Thompson has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting two women during a Muskoka cottage getaway over the Canada Day weekend of 2022.

With a big hug from his lawyer, Leora Shemesh, Thompson left the Midland courthouse a vindicated man. But at what cost? After his reputation has been dragged through a tortuous stop and start trial that stretched over 12 months and several different cities, how much damage has been done?

“This was a painful process,” Shemesh said in an interview. “I think it was very punitive for Michael but ultimately the justice system worked.”

In a 90-minute judgment, Ontario Court Justice Phillip Brissette found the Crown hadn’t proven beyond a reasonable doubt that th

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