Court docs suggest Mayor Ford had prostitutes in his office

TORONTO (NEWS1130) – A court document suggests people close to Rob Ford were concerned about the Toronto mayor’s use of drugs, drunk driving and even the presence of suspected “prostitutes” in his office.

The previously redacted information comes from police interviews with three former staffers of the mayor, who hours earlier admitted for the first time to buying illegal drugs while in office.

According to the document, which contains allegations not proven in court, the former staffers told police that while the mayor was drunk on St. Patrick’s Day last year he was seen with two women “who may have been prostitutes.”

One former staffer told police the mayor went back to city hall after a night at a bar with two staffers, who he assaulted, and the two women, then drove himself home.

The same staffer told police he has seen the mayor intoxicated “numerous times” including in the office.

City council has voted 37-5 in favour of Ford taking a leave of absence. He continues to say he isn’t going anywhere.

Key revelations from the court document, which have not been proven in court:

– Police were told the mayor was drunk on St. Patrick’s Day last year and was seen with two women “who may have been prostitutes.” One former staffer said the mayor returned to city hall with the women and two staffers, who he assaulted, and then drove himself home.

– In another incident that night, Isaac Ransom said Ford “became inappropriate” with a female ex-staffer and a female security guard at city hall, making crude and sexually aggressive comments to both.

– Chris Fickel, the former executive assistant to the former chief-of-staff, told police that in the fall of last year, he saw the mayor down a mickey of vodka _ roughly 12 ounces _ then drive away.

– Several former staffers said they regularly bought mickeys of vodka for the mayor _ a request that could come at any time of the day. One said the mayor did not want to be seen purchasing alcohol.

– Fickel told investigators he had seen the mayor intoxicated numerous times at the office, football practices and other events, and believed Ford is an alcoholic.

– He also told police that Ford’s friend Payman Aboodowleh, who coached football with him, was worried “because he thought the mayor did a lot of cocaine.”

– Ford’s former press secretary, George Christopoulos, told police he was approached repeatedly by women claiming the mayor provided them with marijuana and “smoked a joint” with them outside bars. They would then show up at city hall, he said, looking for jobs they said he promised them.

– At least two members of Ford’s team told police they resigned because the mayor is “incapable of taking direction” and “does not trust anyone.”

– Two ex-staffers _ Christopoulos and Ransom _ told police Ford was given three options on how to handle the crack allegations when they emerged in May: deny, admit he has a problem or resign. Ransom said the mayor instead wanted to use a speech written by his mother.

– At least two former staffers told police they believed in the existence of a video showing the mayor appearing to smoke crack cocaine, even though Ford denied it.