Vancouver Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini denied accusations of abusing his children when they were younger, according to a statement released Wednesday by Aquilini’s public relations representative Gary Ross.
“Francesco Aquilini categorically denies, and is outraged, by the accusation made by his ex-wife Taliah in family court that he has ever abused the children,” the statement said.
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On Tuesday, a lawyer for Tali’ah Aquilini made the allegations during a British Columbia Supreme Court hearing over Aquilini’s obligation to continue paying child support and cover college expenses for three of his children. Tali’ah Aquilini filed an application requesting the children remain “children of the marriage,” compelling their father to continue child support payments, even though information about their education has been withheld from him.
Claire Hunter, a lawyer for Tali’ah Aquilini, told the court that Francesco provided child support until September 2021. Both sides were in dispute over Francesco not having access to his children’s college information, including the names of the schools they attend. Three of the Aquilinis’ four children still require support while in school.
“The couple were divorced and reached a settlement in 2013. Mr. Aquilini has met and will continue to meet any child support obligations required by the law, but he has concerns about the veracity of the information provided in support of financial demands,” said the statement made on Francesco Aquilini’s behalf.
“It is unfortunate that allegations without merit are brought forward for a collateral purpose. He will have nothing further to say at this time as the matter is before the courts.”
According to Hunter, the children have expressed a desire not to disclose their information and not to be contacted by their father.
The lawyer referred to affidavits submitted to the court by the children alleging physical and psychological abuse by their father. The allegations include Francesco allegedly beating one of his children while they were asleep and continuing to hit the child after they woke up. One of his children alleges they saw Francesco throw a five-year-old child across a room, while a third allegation claims he punched a child in the stomach.
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“Ms. Aquilini is disappointed that she has had to go to court once again to try to enforce Mr. Aquilini’s obligation to pay child support for their adult children enrolled in full-time university programs,” Hunter said in a statement. “Each of the four children and Ms. Aquilini have filed affidavit evidence in court, some of which was read out in the course of the hearing yesterday. Mr. Aquilini has been in possession of all of the affidavits for many months and, as I mentioned in court, he has not given any evidence denying any of that affidavit evidence. Ms. Aquilini will not be making further comment at this time as the matter is before the court.”
The NHL released a statement on Wednesday, saying they are aware of the allegations and will monitor the situation.
“Clearly, the parties have been involved in a most contentious divorce. Mr. Aquilini has advised us that he categorically denies the allegations. We plan to continue to monitor the situation and, if necessary, will respond as we learn more as events unfold.”
(Photo: Jeff Vinnick / NHLI via Getty Images)
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