CITY OF MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, July 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Councillor Ron Starr issued the next right this moment:
I’m disillusioned and distraught by the result of right this moment’s council assembly. I keep my innocence on this matter and can proceed to battle to clear my identify. I didn’t key Karen Ras’ car or harass her as alleged. I take these allegations very severely and I’ve gone to nice lengths to show my innocence, however the Integrity Commissioner has ignored all of the proof I put earlier than him.
I agree that harassment in any type and in any surroundings, whether or not as in opposition to ladies or males, needs to be sanctioned and condemned. However, I additionally imagine that procedural equity, impartiality in determination making and due course of are pillars of our administrative and judicial techniques that have to be revered.
I proceed to dispute the Integrity Commissioner’s findings and the investigation that he performed. I imagine that, given the strain on him, the Integrity Commissioner’s thoughts was made up even earlier than I gave him my proof. It is just improper to say that the video exhibits me crouching down and standing up with ease. The video doesn’t present that and doesn’t present me keying Ras’ car. It is just improper to say that I admitted guilt – I’ve vehemently denied this as has my lawyer, Gary Mooney, by way of written statements we every offered to the Integrity Commissioner very early on on this course of. The Integrity Commissioner means that he has not relied on the police officer textual content as it’s rumour, however he included it in his report and skim it out to council right this moment. That is just improper and unfair.
I keep that the Integrity Commissioner’s investigation has been unjust, biased and basically flawed. As I do know that I’ve been wrongfully accused, I additionally employed extremely esteemed Hon. Julian Fantino to conduct a peer assessment of the standard of the Integrity Commissioner’s investigation, and Mr. Fantino concluded that “no factual/credible evidence whatsoever has surfaced to implicate Councillor Starr”.
Further, Mr. Fantino states that the investigation of Mr. Swayze was “superficial” and “shallow”, as Mr. Fantino’s report states as follows:
Reading by way of the IC’s report that units out his “Review of Evidence and Findings” I discover it troublesome to perceive simply how superficial – shallow actually – absent investigative rigor wanted to perform such an essential investigation may ever happen, particularly with the gravity of his findings on the popularity of a protracted tenured Mississauga Councillor, an esteemed and extremely regarded politician and revered member of the group.
It is essential to be aware that my proof, Mr. Mooney’s proof and the proof of every of my 4 specialists was unchallenged on this investigation, and Mr. Swayze merely selected to low cost all of that proof, on the idea of a video which doesn’t present me finishing up the harm I’m accused of. I imagine that, even on a steadiness of possibilities customary, there was no compelling proof to help Mr. Swayze’s findings in opposition to me. I keep that this investigation was biased and politically motivated from the outset, and consequently, I’ve been denied a good and neutral investigation into this matter.
I want to thank Councillor Carolyn Parrish and George Carlson, and the members of this group, for his or her ongoing help. I actually recognize and won’t overlook your steadied dedication to equity and justice, as I proceed to battle for the reality to prevail on this case.
Councillor Ron Starr
For any inquiries with respect to this matter, please contact my legal professionals: Emilio Bisceglia ([email protected]), Adriana Di Biase ([email protected]) or Battista Frino ([email protected]).
