The public was shocked when reports began to circulate that Gerald
Regan, a former premier of Nova Scotia and federal cabinet
minister, had committed dozens of sexual assaults on teenage girls
and young women over a period of decades. Charges were laid and a
major trial took place in 1998.
The book is powerful in its contrast of public life and private
sordidness. Kimber shows how the authorities hoped through the
prosecution of the sexual assault charges to restore their
reputation after previous scandals.
What happened? How could a man who "everyone knew" should be
watched around women workers and acquaintances be let off on such
serious charges?