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*WATCH**LISTEN* Richmond Hill Councillor Claims Thomson Set the Mayor Up

Posted By: Newstalk 1010 · 3/8/2013 12:10:00 PM

A new twist in the Sarah Thomson allegations against Toronto Mayor Rob Ford.

The former mayoral candidate says she is angry about the way she was treated by the mayor and she took it to social media.

Thomson posted a photograph on her Facebook account after midnight on Friday. She says the photo is of her and the mayor at the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee party, at Arcadian Court.

Underneath the photo, she wrote the caption:

"Thought it was a friendly hello to Toronto Mayor Rob Ford at the CJPAC Action Party tonight until he suggested I should have been in Florida with him last week because his wife wasn't there. Seriously wanted to punch him in the face. Happy International Women's Day!"

Richmond Hill city councillor Carmine Pirrelli is now claiming that Thomson said she planned to set the mayor up.

"She had mentioned to the group that mayor Ford had grabbed her backside and she said I'm going to go upstairs, I'm going to use my friend here to set him up, to take a picture of him so that I could use it against him in the next campaign," says Pirrelli.

Pirrelli says after she made the comment, another councillor warned her about re-thinking her actions.

Pirrelli says he followed her upstairs and warned the mayor's security about what she was planning to do.

Thomson's posting set off a flurry of comments from other Facebook users. Thomson added some comments of her own:

"I've never seen him so out of it. I know I shouldn't be pissed but after spending 10 months on the campaign trail together you expect a little bit of respect at the very least for my husband."

Thomson, a guest on Moore in the Morning first confirmed her allegations saying it all started with a friendly hello and when she mentioned that Ford was missed at the mayor's roundtable last week, he told her that he was in Florida and that she should've come with him because his wife wasn't there.

"I'm looking at him going what ... am I one of the guys, like how's he treating me and then he said yeah we could've had some fun. And then I thought this is just not him, this his weird."

She says it was at that point that they had their photo taken.

"And then he grabbed my ass and I'm thinking what the heck is going on? I was so mad about it."

When asked if she said something to Ford, Thompson said "I looked at him and asked what's wrong with you? And he laughed it off and said no we could've really had a good time and I walked away. I wanted to punch him in the face. It's one of those things where you just kinda go how dare you!"

She said there were a lot of people around the mayor and that she urged his handlers to get him out of there.

Thomson also posted the following comments on her Facebook page:

"Frederick, guess where his hand was in this picture? I must go shower."

And:

"Anyone who talked to him tonight could see he was out of it - I'm venting because I thought on the respect for women level he was better than that."

 Sarah Thomson's facebook account.

Meanwhile, Ford's Chief of Staff Mark Towhey who was present when the alleged incident happened shot down Thomson's claims.

"I know that the three staff never heard any of the comments that she's alleged. I know that the mayor was in Florida with his wife and children last week and I know was about twenty feet away watching most of this happening during the evening."

Towhey says Thomson looked happy while she was taking the photographs and when she walked away.

As for her claim that she spoke to the mayor's staff after the incident happened, Towhey says that wasn't true.

"I also know that at no time did she ever speak to me or any of my staff, because I've confirmed that again this morning with all of them, about any issues or concerns that she had with the mayor."

Towhey says the mayor is now seeking legal counsel and will decide what their next step of action will be.

He says the mayor will provide a statement at some point on Friday.

Thomson later came back on the Jerry Agar Show to change her story a bit, saying that she never spoke to the mayor's staff but to people that were close to him.

"I went to Conservatives, so it wasn't necessarily the mayor's people, I didn't know where they were. Paul Pelligrini, he's known as a lobbyist and I don't know exactly who the mayor's people are but I know people that are always around the mayor," says Thomson.

Pirrelli says he wants Thomson to come clean about what she told him.

READ ROB FORDS STATEMENT HERE

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  • 125
  1. Mike O'Hearn posted on 03/08/2013 01:57 AM
    Don't flatter yourself Sarah. Sounds like you were fantasizing.
    1. Bo posted on 03/08/2013 02:11 AM
      @Mike O'Hearn You suck, get out.
  2. Nisi posted on 03/08/2013 02:10 AM
    Yes, she was living every girls dream - of course we all want to pawed at by sweaty drunkards. She should feel flattered!

    NOT.
    1. -Sn posted on 03/08/2013 07:41 AM
      @Nisi She certainly looks a lot happier to be in that picture than he does.
    show more replies
  3. Tom posted on 03/08/2013 03:36 AM
    Something sounds fishy here - hmmmmmmm - no offense but given Ms. Thomson's track record for telling the truth and wanting publicity, I'm not fully buying this.
  4. Sally posted on 03/08/2013 06:47 AM
    I can't believe the coverage on CFRB (and 640) this morning. Fine, Thomson should not have trumpeted these allegations on Twitter. But sexual harassment is a serious issue and should not be discredited, along with the witness. And it's not just grabbing her ass, it's suggesting she come to Florida with him, that's also sexual harassment and I can't believe in this day and age people still don't know that. As the one caller said, who's obviously in HR, an investigation has to be conducted by HR.
    1. -Sn posted on 03/08/2013 07:37 AM
      @Sally So, wait... she wants everyone to know she was sexually assualted, but she's "not mad anymore". And she was SHOCKED by his comments but didn't say anything... and she's "never" seen him like this befiore so the first thing she does is tweet a photo?? and then she acts like a "concerned citizen" and says he may have a substance abuse issue... which if she had an ounce of respect for the guy (which she has clearly stated she does not) would be an issue best handled out of the public eye (at least until you have the facts). and you take her word like it's gospel... she is malicious and deliberate and I hope she gets sued...
    2. Adam posted on 03/08/2013 08:21 AM
      @Sally First of all, just because he is mayor doesn't mean that Rob Ford isn't innocent before being proven guilty. Sexual Harassment is a serious issue but right now it is simply Sarah Thompson's word against Rob Ford. If it was true, would it not have been better to go to the police rather then straight to the media. I might be more inclined to believe her if she didn't put her face on national media to say this accusation. I hope she gets sued into bankruptcy if any part of this is true.
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  5. unknown_man posted on 03/08/2013 06:53 AM
    Rob Ford shoots himself in the foot again.
    1. Karen posted on 03/08/2013 10:12 AM
      @unknown_man And you know this how Mrn unknown Man? I would think it's the other way around, she's making unproven allegations that NOBODY witnessed out of a crowd of hundreds and she's putting all over the media I stead of going to the police with her so called "sexual assault" allegations. She is a piece of work and I hope she gets sued to the hilt. She will obviously do anything to make the media notice her.
    2. 905_guy posted on 03/08/2013 11:18 AM
      @unknown_man how? you sounds like Adam Vaughn. Are you?
  6. Bruce McNab posted on 03/08/2013 07:03 AM
    John, do you really think of Facebook and Twitter as "teenagers' communication" media??? That question to Sarah Thompson about it was unbelievably ignorant downright rude.
    1. Sophie posted on 03/08/2013 07:28 AM
      @Bruce McNab No, John is right. Its a social media...its a way to gossip. If something serious happens to you - you go to the proper authoriities, not the twit pages. You can't print anything you're pretty little head thinks of, there are laws against slander, but to be fair twits aren't aware of anything but themselves.
    show more replies
  7. -Sn posted on 03/08/2013 07:07 AM
    Doesn't she look extatic to be in a photo with an inebriated looking Rob Ford. Like she just won the lottery.
  8. Lena Politics posted on 03/08/2013 07:48 AM
    She wants everyone to know she was sexually assulted, Hmmmmmmmmmm.YOU MAKE ME SICK!ARE YOU THAT DESPERATE FOR PUBLICITY.
    1. 905_guy posted on 03/08/2013 11:22 AM
      @Lena Politics She will run again for Rob's job, won't she? Sara, please choose a picture to show that you are angry because someone just touch your behind, ok?
  9. Maria posted on 03/08/2013 08:13 AM
    It is widely understood that if a woman is the victim of a sexual harassment and/or sexual assault the appropriate course of action is to immediately notify the police. But instead circumventing the authorities and announcing the alleged incident on social media with carefully selected photos as a smear campaign against a political rival, is in my opinion a downright embarrassment to the movements Sarah Thompson stands for that have fought so hard against this kind of behaviour against women.
    1. Sandy posted on 03/08/2013 09:17 AM
      @Maria If she was sexually assaulted and I think grabbing a butt is considered sexual assault - she should have called the cops, not post on facebook or twitter.
    2. corey posted on 03/08/2013 11:49 AM
      @Maria she didnt say she was sexually assaulted...she said he was inappropriate ... this type of thing is in line with his public behaviour and reputation...including with his own wife and his domestic assault history...nothing new here...
  10. CoffeeCon posted on 03/08/2013 08:24 AM
    Isn't this a conversation she would have with him privately today first? How did her first step of recourse go? Was the first step the media? wow, what an awesome world we've built for ourselves folks.
  11. Murray_2008 posted on 03/08/2013 08:24 AM
    A real victim would go to the police if a crime was committed against them. She comes across as a publicity hound, looking to keep her name in the news. She is now accusing the mayor of having a substance abuse problem, which I suppose explains why he would be hitting on her (allegedly). Your 15 minutes were up a long time ago Sarah.
    1. Justin Flontek posted on 03/08/2013 08:57 AM
      @Murray_2008 Some people prefer to do things for themselves and not rely on government organizations as a crutch to get through life.
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  12. Robert Davis posted on 03/08/2013 08:27 AM
    Maybe Sarah Thomson and Rob Ford should have taken advantage of one of those empty homeless beds.
  13. Keith M posted on 03/08/2013 08:31 AM
    Just what Toronto needed. Another (possible) scandal to distract us from the real issues...
    1. Justin Flontek posted on 03/08/2013 08:58 AM
      @Keith M At this point, rob ford has no one to blame, but himself.
  14. Maureen Gilroy posted on 03/08/2013 08:41 AM
    I thought Mayor Ford had better taste than Ms Thompson!
  15. TW posted on 03/08/2013 08:42 AM
    Soooooo Sarah,
    You claimed that he slapped your a$$.
    Why use Twitter and Facebook to express your allegations?
    I may not be a Ford supporter but if this is the way you play politics, it's an epic fail.
    Sexual harassment is huge accusation.
    Why didn't you address it in a mature way?
    Social Media? Really?
    Common
    You may get more Twitter followers out of your claim but that's about it.
    By the way, your slight chuckle when discussing you issue on CFRB earlier this morning will not help your claim.
    1. Justin Flontek posted on 03/08/2013 09:01 AM
      @TW I think people should use anything at their disposal to expose crime and corruption.
    2. 905_guy posted on 03/08/2013 11:27 AM
      @TW May be, may be Sarah herself was smoking something funny - she doesn't know what she was talking about. I can't wait when Rob decides to sue her ass off....
    show more replies
  16. Greg T posted on 03/08/2013 08:47 AM
    Its good to be the Mayor. Have the pictures of Sarah Thomson's buttocks started flying around the web yet?
  17. Rob_T posted on 03/08/2013 08:50 AM
    Why are people so quick to disregard these allegations..Rob Ford has shown time and time again that is he anything but an honest man. He is always shrouded in scandal, and has flat out lied on record many times!! I am not sure if these allegations are true or not but I will not just turn a blind eye until more facts come out.
  18. GregT posted on 03/08/2013 08:52 AM
    Found it!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLDteWZP0uM
  19. AlexT posted on 03/08/2013 09:10 AM
    I just think about what if it was my Mother in this situation and I just can't believe that she would have grabbed Ms Thomson's ass.
  20. SteveB_10 posted on 03/08/2013 09:13 AM
    This is a simple he said she said. Just like the tape never heard an accused can hide behind the opinion of others, or they can agree to a drug and lie detector test. If Ford has nothing to hide, he should have no objection.
    1. Sandy posted on 03/08/2013 09:20 AM
      @SteveB_10 I hope he takes both a drug test and a lie detector test and when he passes both he sues her ass off
    2. Rob_T posted on 03/08/2013 09:24 AM
      @SteveB_10 I agree...as only the two of them know what really happened, a simple drug test/ lie detector test would get to the bottom of this real fast. However when was the last time anyone heard of a politician taking either one of those tests.
    show more replies
  21. Neil Girvan posted on 03/08/2013 09:18 AM
    Whether it's true the sexual assault or not.....it's now been alleged and must be investigated by the police.....
  22. sandy posted on 03/08/2013 09:22 AM
    This is her opening salvo into the 2014 election - another losing bid.
  23. Angry Bill posted on 03/08/2013 09:30 AM
    Well, I've waiting to post here until we heard from the Mayor's office. And now we have, just prior to 9 am.

    At the bottom of it all, it's "he said, she said". The chief of the mayor's staff said that there was staff within earshot all night, and they heard nothing like what Thomson is accusing. Yes, unwanted sexual attention is very serious, and should be reported to the proper authorities. But by the same token, I do not ascribe to the popular view that if you are accused by a woman, then you are automatically guilty. I'm sorry, but some women are very well aware that they need no proof.. all they need to do is accuse, and that's all it takes to bring someone down. They couldn't do it through the courts.. so hey, let's try a different tactic. Cynical of me? Maybe.

    However, I'm inclined to not believe Thomson. Here's why:

    1. She blurted it on twitter and facebook. Then this morning when she was questioned about that method of reporting this incident on what amounts to little more than a communication platform for teenagers, she responds with "What do you mean?" That planted the first seed of doubt in me.

    2. She makes an allegation that he "must be on something", because this isn't like him. She's half right.. this is indeed not like him. And when pressed on why she thought he might be abusing some kind of substance, even though he was speaking clearly and not slurring any words, her response is because he must be.

    3. Another hole was poked in her story when it was reported that Ford's wife did indeed accompany him to Florida last week. Her story was that his wife hadn't accompanied him, and Ford said she should have joined him there because his wife wasn't with him. So if she lied about that, that kind of casts everything she said into doubt.

    4. You have to ask yourself, what possible agenda might she have? You may recall her radio advertisement that she took out, back when people were writing off Ford's chances at remaining in office. Remember the line, "Although I'm not the mayor of Toronto... YET....."? No, she has no agenda at all.

    I'm sorry, but I am not one of those unthinking people who have a knee-jerk response and hop onto whatever bandwagon. I see people posting here defending Thomson for no other reason than because she's a woman making a sexual assault allegation.. on twitter. And facebook. I guess nothing lends an air of gravitas to an allegation like making it on those platforms does.

    So, you people who are making the knee-jerk response that because she's a woman, and she's complaining about being sexually assaulted, that she must be right.... Really? No one else has come forward corroborating her story, or even corroborating her opinion of Ford's behaviour. Now, maybe someone will later today, but as of now, no one has.

    So, I reiterate. I do not believe Thomson. And if you do, then you really need to look at the reasons for your belief. As I have.
    1. SteveB_10 posted on 03/08/2013 09:34 AM
      @Angry Bill Based upon Fords previous lack of decourum, I would tend to believe her. This is not the kind of thing you make up for plubicity. Where his wife was when has nothing to do with Thomsons claim. Clearly according to Thomson he was hitting on her.
    2. ctwr9-11 posted on 03/08/2013 11:10 AM
      @Angry Bill Well said and very logical, which makes your case more believable than anything I have heard Thomson say all morning. What an embarrassment this woman is from all accounts to date... during Smitherman's campaign, her own mayoralty campaigns... now this empty attack on her rival for the top spot in 2014. This is a new low, even for you Sarah!
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  24. Pamela posted on 03/08/2013 09:38 AM
    Seriously Thomson? You go to all the media outlets to share your "story," instead of going to the police to file a report? You're an idiot Thomson. And you wonder why no one believes you.

    Instead of dealing with important city matters, left wing councillors spend all their time and effort doing anything and everything to get remove Mayor Ford; it's something new every week. Give it a rest! Stop your whining and grow up! I can't wait until the next mayoral election as I'll once again be voting for Mayor Ford.
    1. SteveB_10 posted on 03/08/2013 09:47 AM
      @Pamela I give Sarah credit for not escalating this to a criminal matter. Yes women have the right to do it. But under the circumstances I expect many women would not go to the police under the same circumstances. At least according to the movies waitress and stewardess would be in court continually.
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  25. Barbara posted on 03/08/2013 09:44 AM
    I believe she was paid to say all this. Recall her jump at the last minute to change the outcome of mayoral election? I believe she was paid then too. Is she in financial troubles?
    1. Stug posted on 03/08/2013 10:58 AM
      @Barbara you think Adam Vaughn has something to do with it Barbara?
    show more replies
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