ABOVE: Paula Fletcher expresses concerns about Mayor Rob Ford’s alleged behaviour.
TORONTO – Peter Milczyn said city council will have to continue working around the mayor following the release of police documents detailing allegations by Mayor Rob Ford’s staff of assault, substance abuse and hanging out with a suspected sex worker.
“He doesn’t feel shame in the way that most of us would,” councillor Peter Milczyn told reporters at city hall. “It’s sad for the city, it’s sad for council, it’s sad for him as a human being.”
Councillor John Fillion echoed his colleague, adding “it’s hard to know what could surprise you anymore.”
The documents were released Wednesday afternoon while councillors debated a motion urging the mayor to apologize for his behaviour, cooperate with police and take a leave of absence. The motion passed by a vote of 37-5 but Ford refused to resign and said his lawyer has told him not to talk to police.
The documents released Wednesday related to a police the investigation of Alexander “Sandro” Lisi. They were originally released two weeks ago with major redactions. Today, much of the previously blacked out pages were released unredacted.
For extensive coverage of Mayor Rob Ford, click here.
The new revelations detail worries on the part of the mayor’s staff that he had a substance abuse problem. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
“The Mayor’s staff figured that he had an issue with something, both alcohol or prescription pills, and that he needed to straighten himself out for his family,” reads a note from a police interview with former press secretary George Christopoulos. “They wanted to give him the option to do that. The Mayor was deep in denial.”
WATCH: Adam Vaughan says Mayor Rob Ford’s time as mayor is over.
Ford reiterated during council Wednesday that he is not an addict of either drugs or alcohol but admitted to buying illegal drugs since becoming mayor.
Milczyn says the city can move on by working around the embattled mayor.
“That went on for 10 years when he was councillor Ford,” he said. “Council will carry on.”
Councillor Paula Fletcher said she was concerned the mayor was alleged to have driven while drinking on multiple occasions.
“Very little surprises me anymore,” she said. “What surprises me is that in the face of all of this growing evidence is that the mayor isn’t taking this more seriously.”
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