Sault’s Greig Nori, Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley sue each other over sex abuse claims (original) (raw)

Court documents obtained by SooToday reveal duelling lawsuits launched in wake of shocking sex abuse allegations detailed in Whibley's explosive memoir

Deryck Whibley once challenged Greig Nori to settle their differences in the courtroom — and according to documents filed in Ontario Superior Court earlier this month, they’re now preparing to do just that.

Lawyers for Nori have slapped the founder of pop-punk band Sum 41 with a notice of action, claiming more than $6 million in damages over the explosive allegations of sexual abuse and grooming made by Whibley in his recent memoir, entitled Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell. The book’s publisher, Simon & Schuster LLC, has also been named as a defendant in the legal proceedings.

Court documents reveal the Treble Charger frontman is seeking damages from Whibley for libel, in addition to "breach of confidence, intrusion upon seclusion, wrongful disclosure of private facts, and placing the plaintiff in a false light."

Whibley has countered with his own notice of action against Nori, claiming $3 million in damages for “defamation and placing the plaintiff in a false light,” after the prominent Sault musician publicly accused him of being a liar once the allegations of sex abuse against Nori surfaced.

Neither statements of claim nor statements of defence have been filed in the pair of matters, and the allegations have yet to be tested in court. SooToday has reached out to lawyers representing all parties for comment.

Whibley made headlines around the world following the October 2024 release of Walking Disaster, which detailed unsettling accusations of Nori coercing him into a sexual relationship after becoming a mentor and a “father figure” to the teenage musician.

Nori fought back against the disturbing allegations in a prepared statement, denying that he had “groomed” Whibley while insisting the two engaged in a consensual sexual relationship that began when both of them were adults.

"The accusation that I pressured Whibley to continue the relationship is false. The accusation that I pressured Whibley to continue the relationship by accusing him of homophobia is false,” Nori said in the statement. “Ultimately the relationship simply faded out. Consensually. Our business relationship continued."

Whibley took to social media in the days that followed, slamming Nori for calling the allegations against him a “lie,” and challenging his former manager to battle it out in the courtroom.

“It’s come to my attention that Greig Nori has now called me a liar. I’ll tell you right now, I stand behind every word that’s in my book, 100 per cent," Whibley said in a video that was shared widely on social media.

“I’m not a liar, and I’m going to speak to you directly, Greig Nori: If you think I’m a liar, there’s only one way to settle this — under oath. In front of a judge, in front of a jury. Anytime you want. I’m ready whenever you are.”

The Algoma Conservatory of Music has since suspended all projects involving Nori — who had been employed as recording studio manager and engineer for The Loft prior to the allegations — while it conducts an internal review.

The principal and artistic director for the conservatory initially came to Nori’s defence when news of Whibley’s sex abuse allegations broke.

“I have no information regarding these allegations. I understand Greig Nori has said the allegations are false,” Guy Traficante wrote in an email to SooToday at the time. “Greig Nori has always been fully professional in his work here. I have received only excellent comments from the people he has worked with.

“I certainly hope these allegations will not impact his excellent work here in any way.”

But the conservatory eventually pulled the plug on all projects involving Nori once Whibley doubled down on the sex abuse allegations via social media. Prior to that, Nori posted a personal message on the conservatory website, informing the public that he was taking a four-week leave of absence from his work.

“Since these allegations have come to light, Mr. Nori has not been at the conservatory or involved in any conservatory activities,” the conservatory said in a statement posted to its website. “Greig Nori was engaged as a self-employed sound engineer for recording projects and live events at the Algoma Conservatory of Music.

“He was not involved with teaching Algoma Conservatory students. The conservatory is firmly committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students, faculty and staff.”

SooToday has reached out to the conservatory for an update on its review of Nori.