Ex-CBC host Jian Ghomeshi arrested, charged with sexual assault

TORONTO, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Jian Ghomeshi, the ex-CBC radio host fired after multiple women accused him of sexual assault, has been arrested and charged in Toronto Court.

Ghomeshi, 47, surrendered to police Wednesday morning and was booked on four counts of sexual assault and one count of "overcome resistance -- choking."

The former Q broadcaster is expected to appear in court Wednesday afternoon.

Ghomeshi, was fired on Oct. 26 after the CBC was presented with "graphic evidence" he had injured a woman. He initially denied the allegations, claiming his rough sex with several women were consensual, but that the women were conspiring to ruin him.

Police began investigating the allegations on Oct. 31, after three of the women filed complaints accusing him of a mélange of sexually violent behaviors, including choking, hair pulling, hitting and forced fellatio.

In all, nine women have come forward to accuse Ghomeshi of assault.

Ahead of his arrest, Ghomeshi dropped his $55 million lawsuit against the CBC, in which he had alleged defamation and breach of contract.

"The civil suit has been dismissed with costs in favor of the CBC," said spokesman Chuck Thompson, adding that Ghomeshi would pay $18,000 to the CBC in legal costs.

Ghomeshi is fighting the dismissal through the CBC union, with a grievance thorough the Canadian Media Guild.