A Winnipeg city councillor has been charged with serious allegations involving a man he met online. Transcona Councillor Russ Wyatt, aged 56, was arrested on Tuesday, following an investigation by the Winnipeg Police Service. The investigation commenced in February after a sexual assault report was filed.
Details of the Allegations Against Wyatt
According to police, the alleged victim met Wyatt through a website and later met him in person multiple times. Investigators state that during a gathering in December, the victim was provided with an illicit substance and subsequently sexually assaulted. Following the incident, he sought medical assistance.
Charges Filed
Russ Wyatt has been charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious thing with the intent to aggrieve or annoy. He has been released on an undertaking and chose not to comment when reached by El-Balad.
Wyatt’s Political Background
Wyatt has a long history in city politics, first elected to the Winnipeg City Council in 2002. He represented the Transcona district until 2018, took a four-year hiatus, and then was re-elected in 2022. His previous term has not been without controversy, as he faced accusations of sexual impropriety in the past.
Previous Incidents
- In July of the same year, he was charged with sexual assault, but the charges were stayed by the Crown in June 2019.
- The stay followed an earlier investigation initiated by the police in January 2018, after a woman accused him of assault in his residence.
- Wyatt took a leave of absence from the council to seek addiction treatment during these allegations.
In a March 2018 letter, Wyatt disclosed his struggle with alcohol and substance-related issues but did not mention the assault allegations at that time. He has also publicly identified as bisexual, indicating that he had been leading a double life.
Current Implications for Councillor Wyatt
The implications of the current charges on Wyatt’s role in the council remain uncertain. The mayor’s office has yet to release a statement regarding the situation. As the investigation unfolds, the community will be closely monitoring the developments surrounding these serious allegations.
