Watch above: There’s more allegations about possible improprieties in the way the RCMP handled the investigation into the assault of a Calgary cab driver. Nancy Hixt reports.
WARNING: This story contains graphic content. Discretion is advised.
CALGARY – A Calgary cab driver says he is once again feeling victimized after several media outlets reported he was paid close to $10,000 after he was assaulted by a passenger.
Thirty-five-year-old Sardar Qayyum captured the entire exchange with passenger Chad Pasloski on a dashboard-mounted camera. The footage was recently obtained by Global News.
On the video, Pasloski asks to stop at a fast food restaurant. Qayyum agrees, but says the taxi chit is about to expire. Pasloski goes on to say, “you son-of-a-bitch, you f—ing c—sucker, go back to where are from” and, “what, are you going to f—ing going to do, strap a bomb to your body, huh?”
Watch below: Global News has obtained disturbing and graphic video of a passenger launching a vicious verbal and racist attack on a Calgary cab driver.
Qayyum says he is devastated after several media outlets reported he was paid the large sum of cash.
“Now these guys are saying he paid me $10,000, or he is saying…I don’t know it’s really frustrating and it just broke my heart right now,” said Qayyum.
Global News confirmed a separate insurance claim was made by Checker Cabs for damages in the amount of just over $9,000.
Qayyum says it was never about money. He said he turned down financial compensation several times, and only took money for damages when the RCMP officer was closing the case.
READ MORE: Cab passenger who verbally attacked Calgary driver fired
Global News has also learned about possible improprieties in the way the RCMP handled the investigation into the verbal tirade and alleged physical assault.
“He thinks I’m a cheater and he is showing this to the public. I never had a clue about this.
“He’s saying $10,000. Whatever the company pays, I don’t know. They never told me. I got $900 that the RCMP lady gave to me.”
Global News confirmed the RCMP officer gave Qayyum an envelope with $900 in cash on the day he was told charges would not be laid against Pasloski.
The RCMP said they will investigate if appropriate protocol on the part of the officer would be to pay cash to a victim of a crime.
“Part of this investigation is: what was our investigation, what steps were taken, what decisions were made? Were they the right decisions? Were they the appropriate actions on those decisions? And that includes what the investigator had done,” said Insp. Gibson Glavin.
Criminal and human rights lawyer Jeinis Patel says money for damages has nothing to do with criminal proceedings.
“Ostensibly there is a criminal act that’s being committed, and a part of just paying for it–the optics of just paying for it–the damages would undermine the confidence in the criminal justice system. One would think you can pay your way out of being charged with a criminal crime,” said Patel.
Qayyum also said he was given a letter after the incident but has never opened it. He was told it contained an apology.
He says he’s still shaken and fearful and does not want an apology. Instead, he wants Pasloski to be charged.
“It should be an example set in the court. Court should decide all those things…not just two lines of an apology and that’s enough from him,” said Qayyum. “It’s not going to change his attitude.”
Poslaski has declined Global News requests for comment. His lawyer was not available for an interview on Friday.
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