Full Breakdown
Grant Cichacki Sexual-Assault Trial: Five Women Testify Against Former Bar Owner
By Drooid · · How we work
Background and Allegations
Grant Cichacki, 45, formerly owned and managed several Calgary bars, including Watchman’s Pub on 17th Avenue SW and the French Maid strip club in Eau Claire. Five women have come forward, alleging sexual assaults that occurred in 2006, 2013, 2017 and 2019 while they were working in the bar and strip-club industry.
Timeline of Charges and Proceedings
- 2013 incident – The first witness, identified only as AS, said she called 911 after waking to Cichacki attempting sexual contact at his home. Police collected a sexual-assault kit at the Sheldon Chumir Health Centre but did not lay charges at the time.
- 2022 – Cichacki was charged with a separate sexual-assault allegation involving an employee; the charge was later stayed by the Crown.
- October 2023 – Police announced the 2022 charge and later indicated they would revisit earlier complaints.
- December 2023 – Calgary Police Service announced new charges, including the one related to AS’s 2013 allegation.
- Current trial – Cichacki faces five sexual-assault charges. The Crown expects the trial to conclude in roughly four weeks, with the defence, led by lawyer Tonii Roulston, likely continuing into the new year.
Official Statements & Responses
Prosecutor Mackenzie told Justice Nick Devlin that the women will testify about consuming alcohol with Cichacki before the assaults. The Crown has indicated the case will wrap up in about four weeks. Defence lawyer Tonii Roulston has signaled that the defence will pursue further arguments after the initial phase. Calgary Police officials have said the recent charges stem from renewed investigations prompted by the 2023 public notice of the earlier 2022 charge.
Key Data
- Defendant: Grant Cichacki, age 45
- Charges: Five counts of sexual assault
- Alleged victims: Five women, all former bar or strip-club employees
- Years of alleged incidents: 2006, 2013, 2017, 2019
- Legal timeline: Initial 2013 police statement -> no charges until 2023 -> new charges announced Dec 2023 -> trial underway, expected to finish in ~4 weeks.