Deryck Whibley is slamming Greig Nori for calling his explosive sexual abuse allegations against the former Sum 41 manager “a lie” — and is now challenging the prominent Sault musician to settle the matter in a courtroom.
On Tuesday, the Sum 41 frontman shared a video in response to Nori’s public statement denying that he “groomed” Whibley, while insisting the two had a consensual sexual relationship that began when both of them were adults.
In the video, Whibley said the week following the release of his memoir, Walking Disaster: My life through Heaven and Hell has been “extremely heavy” for him, and that he takes “no pleasure” in revealing what allegedly happened between him and his former manager.
“But it was something that I just couldn’t keep in anymore, and I had to let it out,” he said.
In his recently released book, Whibley alleges he was coerced into a sexual relationship by Nori — co-founder of the popular band Treble Charger — after becoming a mentor and a “father figure” to the teenage musician.
Nori has fought back against those allegations, denying that he pressured the Sum 41 singer into continuing the relationship in a prepared statement released to media outlets last week.
“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 the video.
“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.”
Nori, who is currently employed by the Algoma Conservatory of Music as recording studio manager and engineer at The Loft, announced that he’s taking time off from his job in Sault Ste. Marie in the days after the accusations in Whibley’s memoir became public.
“I will be taking a four-week leave of absence to address the recent false allegations made against me,” Nori said in a personal message posted to the conservatory website. “I have responded to these allegations through statements in the press. I sincerely appreciate the support you have shown.”
Whibley closed his video message Tuesday by thanking everyone for their “love and support.”
“And we’ll get through this, like everything else,” he said.
Nori has never been criminally charged in connection with the allegations in Whibley’s book.