Founder of Sudbury pizza franchise charged with sexual assault, exploitation
An 84-year-old Sudbury man has been accused of sexually assaulting a young person in 1989 and police are concerned there may be other survivors.
A complaint was received in January about an alleged sexual assault that happened more than 30 years ago involving Ronald Toppazzini and a person under the age of 16 at the time of the incident, Greater Sudbury Police Service said in a news release Friday morning.
CTV News has confirmed the accused is the founder of the popular pizza franchise Topper's Pizza.
Toppazzini started the pizza company in 1982 and it now has 37 locations throughout Ontario.
He has had no involvement with Topper's Pizza for more than 25 years, Holly Ashby, the director of marketing for Topper's Pizza Canada, told CTV News in a statement.
"We respect the families’ privacy at this time and will be making no further media statements," Ashby said.
He was charged May 5 with sexual assault and exploitation, police said.
Toppazzini was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court July 13.
"Due to the sensitive nature of the incident and in order to protect the survivor’s identity, no further details will be provided," police said.
"If you have any information related to this incident or this individual, you are asked to contact Det. Const. Duchene at 705-675-9171 extension 2301."
Survivors of sexual assault are not alone and there is support and several reporting options available.
Police define sexual assault as any unwanted sexual contact. It includes unwanted touching, kissing, hugging, molestation, rape or attempted rape. It can happen to you once, more than once or over many years.
"In the case of an emergency, if you are in danger or need medical assistance or if the incident just took place/the person responsible is nearby, please call 911 immediately. If you are reporting a sexual assault after the fact and you do not believe that you require immediate assistance, you can call us at 705-675-9171 or you can report it online," police said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.