Canada PoliticsRob Ford responds to drug charges against his friend and sometimes driver Sandro Lisi
Just when you thought all was quiet on the Rob Ford drug 'scandal' front.
A Toronto Police Service news release has confirmed that Sandro Lisi -- a Ford friend, occasional driver and bodyguard -- has been charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of proceeds of crime and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Also arrested was Jamshid Bahrami, who was charged with possession of cocaine, three counts of trafficking marijuana and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Both men were taken into police custody from the Richview Cleaners, located in Etobicoke, on Tuesday, and released on $5,000 bail on Wednesday afternoon.
[ Related: Meet Sandro Lisi: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and his entourage keep making headlines ]
As explained by The Toronto Star, Lisi, 35, has been under police investigation for several months for his alleged attempts to retrieve a video that appears to show Ford smoking crack cocaine.
A Star investigation recently revealed that Lisi has told three associates he has supplied drugs to the mayor. The Star has not verified Lisi’s claim and Ford did not respond to requests for comment at the time.
Ford, of course, has publicly questioned the existence of the video and has denied that he uses cocaine.
"I can’t comment on a video that I have never seen or does not exist," the mayor said in May.
The Star quotes a neighbour of Lisi who claims that Ford visited Lise's home frequently, as much as four times a week.
[ Related: Illegal narcotics now purer and cheaper despite four-decade 'war on drugs' ]
Reporters congregated at Ford's home on Wednesday morning for a response.
In an afternoon press conference, the mayor rebuked journalists for coming to his home and said he was surprised about Lisi's arrest.
"[Lisi is] a good guy and I don't throw my friends under the bus," Ford said.
"He's straight and narrow and never once seen the guy drink. Never seen him once do drugs. So I'm surprised. I'm actually shocked."
Ford added that this wasn't a distraction before being driven off to the airport for a trip to Austin, Texas as part of a delegation to promote Toronto's musical talent.
"You guys are the only ones getting distracted," he told reporters.
"I'm going to go down there and create jobs, stimulate our economy and do what I was elected to do — watch taxpayers money and lower the unemployment rate."
(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)
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