OPP investigating shoving incident at Hamilton City Hall last year

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The OPP is now investigating the shoving incident between a city councillor and a journalist at Hamilton City Hall last year. The new development comes as the journalist involved breaks his silence.

“I know nothing about it” said Councillor Lloyd Ferguson today, referring to word that the OPP is investigating a complaint that Mr. Ferguson shoved independent journalist Joey Coleman outside a meeting room last year at City Hall. The city’s integrity commissioner found Mr. Ferguson guilty of violating the city’s code of conduct but didn’t impose any sanctions. This morning following growing public pressure, the councillor applied his own sanctions agreeing to step down from a committee recruiting a new integrity commissioner, and donating a thousand dollars to charity. “I regret doing this. I also felt I should penalize myself a thousand dollars. I want to send to the employees of the city that we have to set a good example so that’s why i put the sanction on myself.

That may not be enough if police find that Mr. Ferguson assaulted Mr. Coleman. “The lawyers I’ve spoken to and the police officers I’ve spoken to clearly indicated to me that in Hamilton we are redefining what an assault is… by considering it to be a shove. Any unwanted touching – no consent – means an assault” says fellow Councillor Sam Merulla

Joey Coleman was not at City Hall today and would not comment on camera. He did however issue a statement saying he would fully cooperate with police.

As for Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger “Lloyds an honourable guy. I am sure he is dutifully embarrassed by all of this. He did something he shouldn’t have and he acknowledges that and I think he’s now appropriately penalized himself voluntarily and i think that ends the matter.”