The backroom political strategist who masterminded the meteoric rise of Rob Ford has publicly admitted to alcohol addiction following his arrest on drunk-driving charges.
Provincial police said Monday that Nick Kouvalis was charged with two impaired driving counts after his Lexus crashed into a water pipe in front of house near Windsor around 2 a.m. Sunday.
That led Kouvalis to admit in a series of tweets problems with alcohol dating back to 2011.
“I was hopeful that after a stint in rehab and regular attendance at AA mtgs that I had it under control. It has become apparent I do not,” he wrote.
“I’m very sorry to all those that I let down. I ask for all of your help and advice in dealing with this difficult addiction.”
Once dubbed the “brains behind Rob Ford,” Kouvalis served as campaign manager for the former mayor’s surprise 2010 victory, concocting Ford’s marquee election slogan of “stop the gravy train.” He served as Ford’s chief of staff before stepping down in 2011.
Kouvalis and his polling firm Campaign Research have been connected with several other political campaigns, including John Tory’s successful mayoral run and the 2011 federal election, where he worked as a Conservative pollster.
Forty-year-old Kouvalis, who lives in Amherstburg, is scheduled to appear in a Windsor court May 4 to face the charges.