By Trevor Greenway
editor@lowdownonline.com

A prominent Chelsea business owner and a Gatineau lawyer have been charged with sexually assaulting a young woman. 

Meech & Munch owner Joey Therrien-Rivers and Hugo Petit, a lawyer with the Quebec Bar Association, were charged with sexual assault in early April following a June 2023 incident with the alleged victim, whose identity is protected by a publication ban. 

According to court records obtained by the Low Down, Therrien-Rivers and Petit are each accused of sexual assault with the participation of another person. The two men appeared in a Gatineau courtroom April 17 and were released with conditions. They are due back in court on June 5. 

Therrien-Rivers is the owner of Meech & Munch, as well as two other Outaouais restaurants, including Foubrac and Sans Façon in Hull. Meech & Munch on Chelsea’s main drag was destroyed by fire in August of 2022, but Therrien-Rivers announced on social media two weeks ago that rebuilding efforts would begin this summer. The Chelsea restaurant was also at the centre of a criminal investigation in 2020 after an explosive device was thrown at the building. No criminal charges were laid in that case. 

Petit has been registered with the Quebec Bar Association since 2023, according to the professional order’s website. According to Radio-Canada, Petit was previously employed by the Robinson Business Law firm in Gatineau. Founder and partner Bryan Robinson confirmed to the Crown broadcaster that Petit no longer has any connection with the firm.

The identity of the alleged female victim is protected by a publication ban. 

Therrien-Rivers did not return the Low Down’s calls for comment.