Leadership candidate Wab Kinew responds to anonymous accusations

Sunday, August 20th, 2017 1:03pm

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The Winnipeg Free Press is reporting on anonymous allegations about a candidate running for the leadership of the Manitoba NDP party.

In a “rash of anonymous emails about him,” MLA Wab Kinew was accused of domestic violence.

Kinew flatly denies the allegations, stating they didn’t happen. Two counts of domestic assault in 2003 did however result in a stay of proceedings a year later, the Free Press reports

Kinew is quoted as saying “There was no substance to the allegations. It was investigated. It was dropped.”

Kinew has disclosed an assault against a taxi diver and an impaired driving charge.

In 2004, he was fined $1,522 for the assault, refusal to submit a breath sample, and failing to comply with two court orders. And he has now disclosed another assault charge in 2004 for a fight, for which he received a discharge, and a charge of theft when he cashed a found money order. He repaid the victim, the article says, and the charges were stayed.

Kinew has since kept the peace, and says he’s been honest about his past brushes with the law. He has addressed addiction issues, dealt with “character” issues, continues to build a family life, and has become a successful person.

The story was published in the Aug. 19 issue of the Winnipeg Free Press.