The Toronto Star is reporting Rob Ford knew the location of an alleged video of him smoking crack cocaine and even told his inner circle a unit number on Dixon Road where it could be found. The mayor made the claim in a meeting on May 17, shortly after Gawker and Toronto Star first broke the news. It's not clear what action was taken. Ford has publicly denied the existence of the tape.
The news comes as the Star also reports Ford ordered the destruction of office documents in the wake of the scandal. The paper says the email and phone records could hold clues to the actions of staffers in the aftermath of the story last week. The city, however, says it hasn't received such a request. The paper cites "sources" within the mayor's office.
Meanwhile, police in Fort McMurray, Alta.have made a second arrest in connection with the murder of Anthony Smith, one of the men seen with Ford in a picture Gawker released with its story last week. Smith was shot to death on King West in late March. The charges haven't been confirmed, but cops have a warrant to search his cellphone and home.
David Price is one of those names even casual city hall watchers have come to know very well over the last week or so. The football coach turned financial advisor turned Ford staffer is at the centre of the crack tape saga, and, according to recent unverified newspaper reports, may know where the alleged tape is being held. The Globe has a useful primer on the big man behind the big man.
The TTC is hoping the release of a new corporate plan will help affect "sea change" in the way the business operates. CEO Andy Byford hopes to improve customer service and accountability over the next five years. What do you think the TTC could do today to make a difference?
A picture of a Toronto cop tying an elderly mans shoelaces near the Rogers Centre yesterday is getting the viral treatment online. The picture, taken by marketer Jason Cassidy, shows officer Mark Borsboom bending down to tie the shoes of an sick man near the entrance to a parking garage. Do good deeds like this often go unnoticed?
One of the stock defenses of the Ford brothers has been their fiscal record. No matter what shows up on tape, what they do behind the wheel, it's OK, because they've saved the city "over a billion dollars." Well, not quite. Matt Elliott at Metro has picked apart many of the Ford's favourite claims to find out if there's any truth to the bluster. (Spoiler: There is.)
Finally, the problem with the Rob Ford scandal so far has been a serious lack of danceable beats. That's all changed now "Bored of Rob Ford" has dropped. The track, featuring Peaches, is going to be released on iTunes soon. Check it out.
IN BRIEF:
- iPhone thief drags Toronto actor alongside car [Toronto Star]
- Man swept into Humber River [Toronto Star]
- Ikea monkey's owner in court today seeking animal's return [CBC]
- Melky Cabrera shines as Blue Jays blank Braves [CBC]
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: James Anok/blogTO Flickr pool.