3:09 p.m. update:
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, released the following statement this morning, November 5, 2015:
This is to confirm that Mr. Don Ford was a long-term employee in the Communications Division with OPSEU.
We first learned of allegations of inappropriate conduct by Mr. Ford in late spring of this year.
At that time, Mr. Ford was immediately removed from the workplace and suspended.
His employment with OPSEU has since been terminated following an internal investigation.
Very recently, we learned that the Toronto Police Service has initiated charges against him.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union does not tolerate any kind of sexual harassment or violence in the workplace.
OPSEU has cooperated fully with the authorities, and will continue to do so.
All of our employees have and will continue to be offered the appropriate supports as needed or requested.
Given that this matter is the subject of a police investigation, and is appropriately before the courts, we will be making no further comment.
Original release from Toronto Police Service:
*************************
The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of an arrest in a Sexual Assault investigation.
It is alleged that:
- Between March 2011 and March 2015, a man working in an office in the Lesmill Road and York Mills Road area, sexually assaulted three women
On Tuesdsay, November 3, 2015, Donald Ford, 51, of Barrie, was arrested.
He is charged with:
1. Twelve counts of Sexual Assault
He appeared in court at 1000 Finch Avenue West on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, 10 a.m.
Police believe there may be other victims.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook.
Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
A sexual assault is any form of unwanted sexual contact.
It includes, but is not limited to, kissing, grabbing, oral sex and penetration.
To learn more about sexual assault, including how to report a sexual assault, please visit our Sex Crimes website.
*************************
