NEW YORK — Theo Fleury says he plans to file criminal charges against Graham James, the junior hockey coach he alleges sexually assaulted him as a teenager.
“That decision has been made,” Fleury told the New York Post this week. “I’ve hired Hersh Wolch, who might be the best criminal attorney in North America, and he’s going through the process of doing the necessary preparation.”
In his autobiography “Playing With Fire,” Fleury charges that he was abused by James starting when he was a 14-year-old in Winnipeg.
James was convicted in January 1997 of more than 350 incidents of sexual abuse involving Sheldon Kennedy and an unidentified Swift Current teammate, and was sentenced to 42 months in prison.
“I was not psychologically prepared to come forward then, I was not strong enough,” Fleury told the Post. “But I am now, and I will do whatever it takes, no matter what the repercussions might be.
“I will follow my attorney’s instructions as we go forward, but I am prepared to testify in court under oath if that becomes necessary. I will do whatever it takes.”
James has not commented publicly on Fleury’s charges since the hockey player’s account hit the headlines.