Complainant alleges years of control, exploitation in human trafficking case involving married couple

A woman claiming Lauriston and Amber Maloney exploited her while she lived and worked for the Essa Township couple continued her testimony on Wednesday, telling the court she was controlled for years.

The complainant, who cannot be identified, told the courtroom she was in a sexual relationship with the married couple since 2016, sleeping in their bed and taking care of their children.

“I was expected to do everything with them when I was asked,” she told the Bradford courtroom.

The woman said she met Amber on a dating app and over the course of their intimate relationship, fell in love with the married woman.

She said Lauriston and Amber were always together, and often brought her with them on vacations to Jamaica.

• Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device 
• Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox

The complainant said she was expected to cook, clean, and make the couple drinks, and told the court Lauriston, a former bodybuilder, expected her and Amber to join him in the gym daily.

She said that when she didn’t want to workout, Lauriston would call her lazy and accuse her of not supporting the group dynamic.

“I was so exhausted from work and the constant stress of arguments,” she testified, noting the couple argued behind closed doors about how Amber cared for their children and revenue from Amber’s Beating the Odds autism therapy business.

The complainant testified Amber paid her to perform various tasks at her autism therapy business, including payroll, hiring staff, marketing and programming.

She told the court Lauriston told her to quit her minimum wage jobs, and that Amber paid her when she felt it was deserved, taking into account her room and board.

The Crown called the alleged situation an “egregious violation of the labour code.”

The prosecution presented bank records, revealing small e-transfer amounts between $20 and $50 to the complainant from Amber Maloney.

Both Lauriston and Amber Maloney face human trafficking charges. Amber is also charged with administering a noxious substance, and Lauriston is charged with assault and forcible confinement.