Lisi granted bail

(Update)
Friday morning, Alexander Lisi, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s friend and occasional driver, appeared in court to face charges of extortion. Sean Leathong was there and has the details.

Allesandro Lisi stood with his back to the court during his second bail hearing in a month. Toronto police are saying that Lisi used threats towards gang members in an attempt to recover the now infamous video in which Mayor Ford is believe to be smoking crack cocaine.

Lisi was released this morning on $5,000 no deposit bail. He quickly left the courthouse after the hearing, making his way through a mass of cameras and reporters before jumping in an SUV, which sped off soon after. This is the second time that Lisi has been greeted by reporters while leaving old city hall. On October second, Lisi appeared for a bail hearing on drug related charges. And that same day, Mayor Ford said he was surprised at the charges that his friend was facing. Lisi’s lawyer Seth Weinstein talked about the intense spotlight that their client has been under in that time:  “It’s been very difficult for him. He’s been living under a spotlight that is extraordinary and, quite frankly, I’ve never seen before and it’s obviously very difficult. We can see by the presence of all of you today, the enormity of this and at least what appears to be your interest in this story.”

One of the conditions of bail is that he is not to have any contact with one Mohammed Said, who is believed to be the man in possession of the video back in May. And another condition is that he not have any contact with anybody with a criminal record and we’re not sure if that includes Mayor Rob Ford. As you may know, Ford pled guilty back in 1999 with failing to provide a breath sample in Florida.

Lisi will next appear in court on December 6th.