Rob Ford takes leave after lewd audio & alleged new drug video emerge

Rob Ford is taking a leave of absence to seek help for substance abuse amid reports of another video of him allegedly smoking crack.

On Wednesday evening, The Globe and Mail reported that a video shows the mayor taking a drag from a small copper-coloured pipe and exhaling a cloud of smoke.

The newspaper reports that the video was filmed in Ford’s sister’s basement Saturday morning by a self-professed drug dealer.

The Globe also stated that a man who looks like Alessandro “Sandro” Lisi can be seen in the background of the video.

U.S. site Gawker published still images of Ford from the alleged video on Wednesday night, claiming the photos came from a source who offered to sell them the video. Gawker says the source said crack was in the pipe. The Globe and Mail published the same photos, explaining that they paid $10,000 for the images.

Another recording was revealed on Wednesday night when the Toronto Sun published profanity-lade, lewd audio of Ford ranting, reportedly in an Etobicoke bar. The audio was reportedly recorded on Monday night and contains comments by the mayor about mayoral contender Karen Stintz, as well as comments about his wife.

“I’d rather lose to Olivia Chow than to anyone man,” Ford is heard saying in the audio. “Once I’m gone, I’m gone. I’m going to California.”

“How about Karen Stintz?,” someone asked.

“I’d f*cking jam her, but she don’t want,” Ford replied.

Ford released a statement on Wednesday night.

“It’s not easy to be vulnerable and this is one of the most difficult times in my life,” Ford said in a statement released Wednesday night. “I have a problem with alcohol, and the choices I have made while under the influence. I have struggled with this for some time.”

“Today, after taking some time to think about my own well-being, how to best serve the people of Toronto and what is in the best interests of my family, I have decided to take a leave from campaigning and from my duties as Mayor to seek immediate help.”

The Toronto Star reported on Wednesday that Ford’s latest “spiral” started at Toronto’s Musik nightclub on St. Patrick’s Day weekend more than a month ago. The newspaper reports that a witness saw the mayor do lines of cocaine at the club.

“My wife and children hate me. I am in over my head,” Ford reportedly said at the club.

The Star also reports that Justin Bieber was at the club and apparently jokingly asked Ford if he had any crack to smoke.

The Star also reports that Ford has close ties to the club’s owner, who reportedly provided alcohol to the last two Ford Fests, which are parties for Ford supporters that include free drinks. The owner of Musik is reportedly listed as a registered lobbyist who seeks improvements to the club from city council. The club is located on city property on the Exhibition grounds.

Ford’s lawyer Dennis Morris said the mayor “realizes he needs help for substance abuse,” but would not say which substance his client is seeking treatment for or what steps he will take.

“In my eyes, he should announce those steps to the public in the near future,” Morris said.

The Toronto Sun reports Ford will nonetheless remain on the ballot for the Oct. 27 mayoral election.

Following the allegations, mayoral candidate John Tory said he was relieved the mayor said he was getting help and sent his thoughts to the Ford family.

However, Tory then called for Ford to resign.

“Like Torontonians across the city I am, nonetheless, equally disappointed by these revelations of Mayor Ford’s latest behaviour and, for the good of the city I call on Mayor Ford to resign from his office as mayor,” said Tory

Mayoral candidate David Soknacki also called for Ford to resign.

“Rob Ford is not just a bad mayor. He is also a disgrace,” said Soknacki. “Toronto can’t wait until October 27th. It is time for Rob Ford to resign, immediately.”

Ford has denied allegations that he is addicted to drugs or alcohol, though he has admitted having used crack cocaine while in a “drunken stupor” during his tenure.

Shortly afterward, city council voted to relieve Ford of many of his mayoral powers.

The mayor also admitted he had been drinking during an incident in which he was filmed using Jamaican swear words and other profanities at a Toronto restaurant.

He vowed last year that he had given up alcohol — part of a campaign to rehabilitate his image in light of his admission.

His family had previously backed up his assertions and his decision not to resign or take an official leave.

Media reports of a cellphone video on which Ford appears to smoke crack cocaine first appeared last May, and sparked a police probe dubbed Project Brazen 2.

But at that time, a guns, gangs and weapons probe called Project Traveller was already well underway. It included wiretaps that allegedly captured conversations about the video.

Police also believe that a widely-published photo showing Ford posing with three men — one shot dead shortly after the photo was taken and the other two accused gang members — was taken outside an alleged crack house.