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Winnipeg city Coun. Russ Wyatt is facing charges related to giving another man a noxious substance and sexually assaulting him, after an investigation that began last month, police say.
City police said in a Wednesday news release Wyatt, 56, was arrested Tuesday in connection with an assault that took place at a home in the east area of the city.
Police said the sex crimes unit began an investigation after a man reported he met another man on social media in December, and they saw each other in person more than once.
The first man was given an illicit drug and sexually assaulted during one of their meetings, police say. After leaving, he sought medical attention.
CBC News has confirmed the man charged is the councillor for the Transcona ward on city council.
Wyatt has been charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious thing with intent to aggrieve or annoy, police said. He was released on an undertaking.
On Wednesday, Wyatt deferred comment to his lawyer, Evan Roitenberg, who said in a statement the councillor is innocent.
“We’re not going to try this in the media,” Roitenberg said. “We look forward to the opportunity of having a trial.”
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham called the charges serious allegations.
Police and the justice system “must be allowed to do their job and proceed without interference,” the mayor said in a statement.
“In the meantime, I would recommend the councillor step away to deal with this matter.”
Old Kildonan Coun. Devi Sharma, who is city council’s Speaker, said council does not have authority to suspend members who are the subject of criminal allegations.
Wyatt was previously arrested and charged with sexual assault in July 2018. Police said at the time those charges stemmed from an incident involving a woman Wyatt knew. The charges were stayed in 2019.
Wyatt was first elected to represent Transcona in 2002, and was re-elected in 2006, 2010 and 2014.
He did not run for re-election in 2018, after he took a leave of absence for several months to undergo addictions treatment. He successfully ran again for the Transcona seat in 2022.