Jonathan Denis releases emails he says exonerate him; ex-wife says she didn't write them

UPDATE added June 19, 2020:In a Feb. 23, 2019 court ruling, Justice John Rooke found there was no basis for the allegations against Jonathan Denis. The judge ruled Denis' ex-wife Breanna Palmer "lied to the court" and there was no evidence to suggest Palmer had ever been abused by Jonathan Denis.

Jonathan Denis, the former minister of justice andsolicitor general of Alberta who lost his seat in the 2015 election amid a scandal involving his estranged wife, has released two emailshe saysexonerates him butBreanna Palmer says she didn't write those emails.

Just prior to the election, news broke of legal proceedings involving Denis and his former wife, Palmer.

Denis was forced to step down from his cabinet post.

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It was later revealed that Palmersought a restraining order against him, alleging physical, emotional and financial abuse. She also claimed Denis used illegal drugs.

The emergency protection order was later revoked by a judge.

'I want this over with, here is my letter'

Denis released two emails he said were fromPalmer on Sunday, just over a week after the couple's divorce was finalized on April 1.

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"I want this over with, here is my letter," reads the first line of one of theemails.

"I regret and am saddened that the steps I have taken against my former husband, Jonathan Denis have caused him difficulty. Jonathan Denis never intentionally harmed me and I have never known him to use or possess illegal drugs," it reads.

Palmer responds

When CBC News asked Palmer to validate the emails,she denied writing them.

"No, that is not an authentic email crafted by me," Palmer said in an emailed statement, sent from the account listed on the emailsDenis provided.

"I am not sure who would have written that. My ex and his lawyers do not represent me."

Palmer then wrote she had nothing further to say.

"I refuse to make a statement at this time," she wrote.

Denis sent theemailsand a statement through a spokesperson and is not commenting on the matter.

"The conclusion of the divorce provides an opportunity for me to put on the public record documents that will clear my name and reputation and allow me to end what had become a public ordeal," Denis said in theemailedstatement.

"I thank [Palmer] for her retractions.These allegations were serious, and they caused me harm.I am glad that the truth has prevailed."