A screenshot from the Rob Ford video published by CityNews.
Video that appears to show late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack has been released after charges were dropped against his former driver in court.
The video became available for publication on Aug. 11 after charges were dropped against Alexander (Sandro) Lisi. CityNews said Lisi was Ford’s occasional driver and he “was in court because he was charged with extortion in an alleged attempt to retrieve the infamous video.”
News sites were banned from running the video in the past because it was part of the court evidence.
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Ford had once denied the video was real, said the Toronto Star. In May 2013, when he was caught up in a scandal over drug allegations, “Ford said then he could not comment on a video ‘that I have never seen or does not exist,” The Star said.
“The public can now watch the video that touched off the biggest political scandal in Toronto’s history,” said The Star. Ford died of cancer in March.
When he died, CNN described Ford as a “bombastic and larger-than-life personality” who served as Toronto’s mayor since 2010. In 2013, video was published that also appeared to show Ford smoking crack cocaine, leading the City Council to strip him of his power; Ford ran for re-election but had to abandon the campaign when he was diagnosed with cancer, said CNN.
Ford initially denied smoking crack but later said, according to CNN, “Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine. Am I an addict? No. Have I tried it? Probably in one of my drunken stupors.” The Ford dramas became fodder for comedians and late night talkshows.
In the past, Ford’s lawyer has pointed out it is impossible to tell what a person is smoking by watching the video,” said CityNews.