Colon is a real piece of work.
Councillor Adam Vaughan penned an apology to Councillor Doug Ford’s executive assistant last week after the staffer complained to the integrity commissioner about the vocal Mayor Rob Ford foe allegedly calling him a “Blackshirt”.
The Toronto Sun has obtained copies of the original complaint from Ford’s assistant, Amin Massoudi, and Vaughan’s mea culpa.
In his affidavit to Toronto Integrity Commissioner Janet Leiper, Massoudi said he was walking into the mayor’s office on Feb. 17 while Vaughan was standing near the door speaking to a member of the public.
“I heard Councillor Vaughan say loudly, ‘There go the Blackshirts.’ I immediately turned around and looked in Councillor Vaughan’s direction. Councillor Vaughan was looking directly at me and laughing,” Massoudi wrote.
Massoudi noted he was wearing a black dress shirt that day and alleged Vaughan was alluding to the Blackshirts — the violent henchmen of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.
“I found Councillor Vaughan’s remark to be extremely offensive and malicious,” Massoudi wrote. “His tone was derisive and mocking. I was shocked to hear such an insult being uttered by an elected official.”
Massoudi said Vaughan’s “insult” was particularly disturbing because his own parents left Iran in the 1970s to “escape the oppressive and violent regime of the Islamic Republic” and he still has family members that remain in Iran.
In Vaughan’s March 6 apology letter, he asked Massoudi to please accept his apology.
“Although the remarks were part of a private conversation, they were nonetheless made in a public place and have caused offence. I apologize,” Vaughan wrote.
The Trinity-Spadina (Ward 20) councillor assured Massoudi the comment wasn’t directed at him personally.
“Please be assured that was not the intent, but having read your complaint I understand the offence and take responsibility for the impact it had on you,” Vaughan wrote. “You were not party to the context and understandably were confused and offended by what you heard. I take full responsibility.”
Vaughan acknowledged Massoudi has always been respectful and courteous to councillors and that he deserves to be treated with respect.
“I sincerely hope that you will accept this letter as confirmation that I share your desire to uphold these standards and I accept in this instant that I have fallen short,” he concluded.
Asked about the incident Monday, Vaughan said he considers the matter closed.
“He overheard it and I understood why he was sensitive to it; I think the letter covers the apology.”
Massoudi didn’t respond to an interview request Monday.
Vaughan apologizes for 'Blackshirts' remark | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
Councillor Adam Vaughan penned an apology to Councillor Doug Ford’s executive assistant last week after the staffer complained to the integrity commissioner about the vocal Mayor Rob Ford foe allegedly calling him a “Blackshirt”.
The Toronto Sun has obtained copies of the original complaint from Ford’s assistant, Amin Massoudi, and Vaughan’s mea culpa.
In his affidavit to Toronto Integrity Commissioner Janet Leiper, Massoudi said he was walking into the mayor’s office on Feb. 17 while Vaughan was standing near the door speaking to a member of the public.
“I heard Councillor Vaughan say loudly, ‘There go the Blackshirts.’ I immediately turned around and looked in Councillor Vaughan’s direction. Councillor Vaughan was looking directly at me and laughing,” Massoudi wrote.
Massoudi noted he was wearing a black dress shirt that day and alleged Vaughan was alluding to the Blackshirts — the violent henchmen of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.
“I found Councillor Vaughan’s remark to be extremely offensive and malicious,” Massoudi wrote. “His tone was derisive and mocking. I was shocked to hear such an insult being uttered by an elected official.”
Massoudi said Vaughan’s “insult” was particularly disturbing because his own parents left Iran in the 1970s to “escape the oppressive and violent regime of the Islamic Republic” and he still has family members that remain in Iran.
In Vaughan’s March 6 apology letter, he asked Massoudi to please accept his apology.
“Although the remarks were part of a private conversation, they were nonetheless made in a public place and have caused offence. I apologize,” Vaughan wrote.
The Trinity-Spadina (Ward 20) councillor assured Massoudi the comment wasn’t directed at him personally.
“Please be assured that was not the intent, but having read your complaint I understand the offence and take responsibility for the impact it had on you,” Vaughan wrote. “You were not party to the context and understandably were confused and offended by what you heard. I take full responsibility.”
Vaughan acknowledged Massoudi has always been respectful and courteous to councillors and that he deserves to be treated with respect.
“I sincerely hope that you will accept this letter as confirmation that I share your desire to uphold these standards and I accept in this instant that I have fallen short,” he concluded.
Asked about the incident Monday, Vaughan said he considers the matter closed.
“He overheard it and I understood why he was sensitive to it; I think the letter covers the apology.”
Massoudi didn’t respond to an interview request Monday.
Vaughan apologizes for 'Blackshirts' remark | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
