City council candidate Sheldon Forgette has come to his own defence, after it surfaced that he was arrested twice over the Thanksgiving weekend.
"I've never committed a crime in my life, when people fight or swear at each other I talk them down, I haven't even had a speeding ticket since I was 21 years old," Forgette stated in an email to BayToday.
On Wednesday, the former deputy mayor was released on bail from the North Bay courthouse.
According to court documents, Forgette was arrested on both Sunday, Oct. 9, and Monday, Oct. 10.
Forgette faces six charges total, including two each for assault and mischief under $5,000 plus one for forcible confinement from the Sunday arrest.
See: Former deputy mayor arrested twice over Thanksgiving weekend
"I'm completely heartbroken by these allegations two weeks before the election," says Forgette. "These allegations are categorically false and I will be defending myself. People who know me, know that I do not believe in violence, nor condone it."
Forgette says he can't speak to the incidents themselves as it is a legal matter at this point.
"What I can say is that we live in Canada, a country where we are innocent until proven guilty. I can also say I had very little choice in the matter as the police were all smiles putting handcuffs on me."
Court documents show Forgette was subsequently arrested on Monday and charged with failing to comply with the undertaking associated with his release from the previous day's arrest.
Forgette was released on a separate undertaking with conditions Wednesday.
None of the charges listed above have been proven in a court of law.
"These allegations have shaken every single part of my life and will have lasting impacts on me and my family. I've lived my whole life in the spirit of positivity, to be a good human and be a force of good in the world, Forgette explained in an email."
With files from Stu Campaigne
