TORONTO – A member of Toronto’s security staff, in at least one instance, helped cover up an incident whereby former Toronto mayor Rob Ford walked into city hall intoxicated, according to a report by the city’s ombudsman expected to be released on Thursday.
Sources tell the Toronto Star a security officer placed a hand over a closed circuit television camera to keep it from recording Ford under the influence of alcohol.
Ombudsman Fiona Crean had launched an investigation last year into security staff conduct after they came under fire for aggressive behaviour while escorting Ford through city hall premises.
The Star reports Ford was also allowed to use security officers as private bodyguards and that the safety of staff, politicians, media and the public were threatened as a result of chaotic scenes inside city hall due to the action or inaction of security.
During a council meeting in 2013, the mayor and his brother, Councillor Doug Ford, at one point got into a shouting match with residents watching the proceedings with Ford later caught on camera famously knocking over Councillor Pam McConnell.
Crean’s report is also expected to highlight the lack of oversight of corporate security by senior city officials.
Ford’s relationship with security officials reached a boiling point in 2014 when a document revealed the former mayor allegedly threatened a guard after a report was filed about a raucous St. Patrick’s Day party at city hall in 2012.
During the 2012 incident, the mayor was allegedly intoxicated when he showed up to city hall in the early morning hours of March 18.
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