Toronto mayor admits to smoking crack

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford dropped a bombshell at City Hall on Tuesday, admitting to reporters that he has smoked crack cocaine.

"Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine," Ford told reporters after arriving at City Hall on Tuesday.

The revelation comes after months of Ford denying he has a substance abuse problem, and days after Chief Bill Blair confirmed investigators had recovered a video reportedly showing Ford smoking from a crack pipe.

The Toronto Star and Gawker both reported in May that they had viewed a video of Ford smoking from what appears to be a crack pipe. Ford responded to those allegations by saying in a statement, “I do not use crack cocaine nor am I an addict of crack cocaine.”

Ford claimed that he hasn't been lying to reporters who, for the past six months, have been demanding Ford come clean about his drug history. Ford claimed that he smoked crack about a year ago, but he wasn't exactly sure when.

“I don’t even remember. Probably in one of my drunken stupors. You guys have seen the state I’ve been in,” Ford said.

Aug. 19, 2010: As the municipal election campaign heads into the home stretch, Ford holds a news conference to discuss a 1999 arrest in Florida for driving under the influence and marijuana ... more 

Aug. 19, 2010: As the municipal election campaign heads into the home stretch, Ford holds a news conference to discuss a 1999 arrest in Florida for driving under the influence and marijuana possession. He ultimately pleaded no-contest to the impaired driving charge and the drug charge was dropped. less 









Ford has called for Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair to release the video to the public, saying he doesn’t remember being recorded. The mayor’s brother, Coun. Doug Ford, spent the day accusing Blair of having a bias.

Councillors continued to call on Ford to step down and seek rehab. Coun. Paula Fletcher told CP24 that there are concerns his troubles are even deeper than he was willing to admit. Coun. Jaye Robinson, who was removed from Ford’s executive committee after previously asking the mayor to step down, continued to call for the mayor to address his personal problems. “His credibility is gone,” she said.

Coun. John Fillion, meantime, is set to present a motion that would freeze the mayor's powers. "The train wreck is in sight. The train wreck is happening. We need to get rid of this distraction," Filion told reporters.

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More on Rob Ford:

Rob Ford's brother, Doug Ford, demands Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair step down

Rob Ford: 'I'm not an alcoholic, I'm not a drug addict'

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart skewers Mayor Rob Ford, again

Mayor Rob Ford's intentionally-hollow apology does more harm than good

Full coverage: Rob Ford

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Another motion has already been drafted by conservative councillors Denzil Minnan-Wong and Peter Milczyn calling on Ford to address the issue in a very serious manner.

That motion calls on Ford to apologize for misleading the public, to cooperate with the Toronto police investigation and apologize for writing a letter of reference for drug trafficking suspect Alexander Lisi on city letterhead.

Ford is also requested to answer questions from members of council and take a temporary leave of absence from his position.

"The Mayor consorts with known criminals and/or individuals involved in the sale and distribution of drugs," the motion reads. "The Mayor misled the residents of the City of Toronto with regard to the existence of a video in which he was involved and/or participated in the use of crack cocaine.

Source: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-admits-smoking-crack-cocaine-172258936.html?cache=clear
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