OPP to oversee Rob Ford probe

The OPP has been asked to oversee Project Brazen, involving Toronto mayor Rob Ford.

OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis was at Queens Park to testify about another on-going investigation concerning Ornge Air. But as he left the hearing room, he was surrounded by reporters asking about the latest developments in Project Brazen.

Project Brazen is the investigation launched by Toronto Police to look into drug dealers in a notorious neighbourhood, and which brought forth the infamous Rob Ford crack cocaine video. The probe has been dogged by complaints of political bias against Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair — raised by Rob Ford, and his brother Doug.

Lewis announced that management of the ongoing investigation will now be taken out of the hands of Toronto Police, and placed under the oversight of Provincial Police. The lead investigator from Toronto Police will remain in place, but will now report to — and receive direction from — the OPP.

Chris Lewis said. “Toronto police is the best municipal police service anywhere in my view. But I can get that the public perception that maybe the Chief somehow or another would influence that in some way. I know he wouldn’t but to clear the air and have him report to us. I have nothing to do with the mayor of Toronto. I’m not an employee of the city of Toronto. So if that helps the public be assurred that it will be done properly, so be it. No chief wants to hear that this is a personal issue between him and someone being investigated whether it be the mayor or anyone else. That’s not what we’re about as police agencies and not an agency like Toronto police, so for Chief Blair to ask for this I think was a proper move and I welcomed it.”

Shielding the investigation against charges of bias has raised the possibility that criminal charges against the mayor may be forthcoming at some point in the near future. By protecting the integrity of the investigation, there is less chance that any charges that result could be successfully challenged in a court proceeding.

Lewis says he has no information about possible charges in the case, but says that decision will now be made by the investigative team headed by senior OPP investigators.