Layton found in Suspected Bawdy House in 1996

[Guest W***ledi*Time]

Sex finally makes some headlines in the Federal Election Campaign.

 

Sam Pazzano reports for the Toronto Sun, 29 April 2011:

 

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/04/29/layton-found-in-toronto-bawdy-house-former-cop

 

TORONTO - Jack Layton was found laying naked on a bed by Toronto Police at a suspected Chinatown bawdy house in 1996, a retired Toronto police officer told the Toronto Sun.

 

The stunning revelation about the current leader of the New Democratic Party comes days before the federal election at a time when his popularity is soaring.

 

When the policeman and his partner walked into a second-floor room at the Toronto massage parlour, they saw an attractive 5-foot-10 Asian woman who was in her mid-20s and the married, then-Metro councillor, lying on his back in bed.

 

Layton was cautioned by police and released without being charged.

 

Olivia Chow, Layton's wife, denied her husband had done anything wrong in an e-mail statement late Friday night.

 

"Sixteen years ago, my husband went for a massage at a massage clinic that is registered with the City of Toronto," Chow wrote. "He exercises regularly; he was and remains in great shape; and he needed a massage.

 

"I knew about this appointment, as I always do."

 

In a letter from his lawyer, Layton recalls "being advised by police at the time that he did nothing wrong."

 

What police say happened on Jan. 9, 1996, was recorded in the former cop's notebook, which was reviewed and photocopied by the Toronto Sun.

 

The former Asian crime unit officer, who requested anonymity, details a prior police raid on the "premise currently ID as a bawdy house" looking for underage Asian hookers and a subsequent follow-up visit to the two-storey brick storefront on Jan. 9.

 

At first the policemen didn't realize they were interviewing one of the best-known Toronto politicians who was married to Chow, also a Metro councillor and now the incumbent NDP MP for Trinity-Spadina.

 

The officer's notebook indicates he asked the suspected john: "Did you receive any sexual services?"

 

He replied: "No sir, I was just getting a shiatsu."

 

The cop: "Why did you have all your clothes off?"

 

The suspected john: No answer.

 

The cop: "Are you aware that there were sex acts being done here?"

 

The suspected john: "No sir."

 

The woman, who was from mainland China, denied masturbating the suspected john but when the question was repeated became nervous and replied, "I don't know I only come to work today," the cop's notes show.

 

His notes also claim he saw the "female dump wet Kleenex into garbage."

 

In the interview with the Sun, the officer said: "I asked him for his wallet and I looked at his name and I looked at the last name and it looked familiar.

 

He's registered as 'John' and I thought he's a 'john.'"

 

Layton's Christian name is John.

 

"I explained to him this was a bawdy house and then I asked him the silliest question, 'Are you any relation to the councillor, Jack Layton?' and ... he had that defeated look on his face and he said, 'We are one in the same,'"

the ex-cop said.

 

The former officer said Layton, seemed quiet and mellow and denied that he knew it was a suspected bawdy house.

 

The police had to decide what to do with the controversial councillor.

 

"To have arrested him and charged him would have served our egos a lot more. Layton was a thorn in the side of the police, siding with the anti-poverty movement in '96 or '97 ... Jack was anti-police," the ex-cop said.

 

"We looked at it and thought do we take advantage of this, or do we look at this like (he's) any other person, put it away and we hope this thing dies a slow death."

 

In the end, they came to the conclusion they shouldn't charge him.

 

"If we had barged in and he was engaged in a sex act and we had plainly saw it, then it would have been a different story."

 

The officers said police filled out a suspect investigation card that recorded his name, address, date of birth -- July 18, 1950 -- height and weight.

 

That information would be filed away by a civilian administrator for crime analysts to use in tracking criminals with particular attributes.

 

The former cop is surprised it took so long for the incident to become public.

 

"This stuff was never leaked out back then. The professionalism was outstanding. I thought this would have come out. This thing within the circle was so well known."

 

The policemen warned the councillor about the dangers of hanging out in suspected bawdy houses that could be run by Asian triads.

 

"I remembered lecturing him on a lot of these triads, they'd videotape the customers and extort them afterwards. Jack went pale. I said to him you have to understand it's quite possible," he says.

 

"He came on a bicycle. I escorted him down and he went away on his bike."

 

CTV News reports:

 

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20110429/jack-layton-massage-allegations-sun-media-110429/

 

NDP Leader Jack Layton says he's the victim of a smear from Sun Media, which is alleging that Layton was found at a Toronto massage parlour in 1996.

 

"Absolutely nothing wrong was done; there's no wrongdoing here and yet the smears start," he said Friday night. "And you know this is why a lot of people get turned off politics and don't even want to get involved."

 

"We're just going to keep up the campaign right through to the end and call for that change," he added.

 

A lawyer for the NDP issued a letter to Sun Media that threatened legal action if the allegations were printed in the company's newspapers. The story is already on Sun Media's website.

 

"The facts are that Mr. Layton had obtained a massage from a massage therapist, but had no knowledge whatsoever that the therapist's location may have been used for illicit purposes," wrote laywer Brian Iler. "He does recall being advised by the police at the time that he did nothing wrong, but that the location was questionable, and to be stayed away from. Mr. Layton gave the officer his name and address, and nothing further happened.

 

"Any statement or inference that Mr. Layton's actions or behaviour was other than the facts stated above would be without any factual basis, would clearly be made with malice, and ought not to be published."

 

Layton's wife, fellow Toronto NDP MP Olivia Chow, said she was aware of the incident and her husband had done nothing wrong.

 

"In the last hours of this election, this is nothing more than a smear campaign in an attempt to question my husband's character," Chow said in a statement.

 

The incident happened when Layton was a Toronto city councillor. Chow noted that the massage clinic in question was a licensed establishment with the city of Toronto, and that her husband frequently received massages as part of his fitness regimen.

 

"Sixteen years ago, my husband went for a massage at a massage clinic that is registered with the City of Toronto. He exercises regularly; he was and remains in great shape; and he needed a massage," Chow said.

 

"No one was more surprised than my husband when the police informed him of allegations of potential wrong doing at this establishment. He told me about the incident after it happened."

 

The allegations surfaced Friday evening, less than three days before Canadians head to the polls. The NDP, under Layton's leadership, have been riding a large wave of support that has put them second behind the Conservatives.

 

Chow stressed that any "any insinuation of wrongdoing on the part of my husband is completely and utterly false, which is why after 16 years and 8 election campaigns that my husband has campaigned in, this has never been an issue."

 

Chow further linked the allegations to politics, noting that "this is another reason why politics in this country need to change and on Monday, Canadians will have their chance to do just that."

[JuliasUndies 7288]

I just added this to my politicalxxx poll I posted wondering who out of the candidates would be a client lol, now we know thanks for posting!

http://www.cerb.ca/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=51159

[Lowdark 5613]

It doesn't change my opinion of him or his policies, but if Sun Media tries to claim that their timing wasn't deliberately aimed at hurting the NDP and supporting the Conservatives, they will be one step closer to earning the unofficial title Fox News North.

[CMJ 14869]

I think its cute - whether he knew or not.... at least we know hes human !!

[Lowdark 5613]

The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that if the strategy behind this "breaking news" was to derail the NDP's momentum, it's highly flawed. If this election has proven anything, it's that most voters are unconcerned with ethical issues this time around. The Conservatives were not only the first governemnt in Canada to be found in contempt of Parliament, but the first in the entire Commonwealth, yet polling indicates they will likely form another minority government. And the NDP's biggest supporters seem to be mostly young and first time voters, who also support things like more liberal sex laws. So this story would have little affect on them. So what, exactly, is the strategy behind this. Anyone else have any thoughts?

[mrrnice2 157005]

Ah man, here we go again. Which political party will deny up and down the release of something like this? Let me guess, let me guess.......Yup, Mr underhanded control freak.

 

But of more interest to me may be a potential backlash. Perhaps this will be one more thing that may cause voters to say that at least here is a candidate who is real, and not simply manufactured and packaged as the others seem to be.

 

It will be interesting to follow the reaction.

[whiteman 14028]

If the Sun really wants to know the truth behind this, then they should interview the masseuse. It shouldn't be too hard to find her, she was likely advertising with them. :icon_wink:

[Capital Hunter 18263]

Another conspiracy by a corrupt regime and their supporters. This is a clear case of smear campaign aimed at tanishing a popular leader and stop his momentum. SHAME on Sun Media. This is a coordinated smear campaign by big corporations to ditch NDP and Jack Layton.

[Guest s******ecan****]

Hey to each his own, the only thing about this story that lowers my opinion of Layton is his claim he had no idea anything iilicit was taking place at the MP. Certainly sets of the BS alarms.

 

I'm more concerned with the NDP economic platform and the fact that their Quebec caucus are pretty much all soveriegntists.

 

Interesting article here.

 

If we end up with an NDP government we'll get tax increases for sure... how much will depend on how much of their platform they decide renounce.

 

We'll get a worsening of the Quebec issue because he has all but embraced the Bloc demands, if he fails to deliver his Que caucus will split off ala Lucien Bouchard his government will fall and we'll have yet another election.

[EmilyRushton 253372]

He wasn't doing anything, that the rest of society does not already do (whether they admit to it or not) Of course they have to bring this up as anything associated with "escort" or "Massage" must make you a bad person or you must be publicly humiliated for it.

 

People like Jack, cause he is real...Maybe not all his views are something we love 110% but he is down to earth and human and we can all relate to him in one way or another.

[roamingguy 300292]

I personally think the Conservatives have had this information in their back pocket for awhile...something to save for a rainy day, like when the NDP is their political threat. As for the Sun releasing the information, do you think their source was someone in the Conservative Party

On another note, back in the day when Layton was caught by the police getting a massage, it's interesting that the story didn't break then. Layton was a real thorn in the side to the police, yet the police showed professionalism and didn't go public with it. The Sun was pro police, anti Layton back then, if released the story would have run.

Just a thought or two

RG

[whiteman 14028]

I think the NDP's surge in support is good for democracy, it gives progressives an alternative to vote for, rather than holding their noses and constantly voting Liberal no matter what. However, I wouldn't want to see them in government yet. Keep them in official opposition right now, and then we can find out how mature and coherent their caucus is. Bob Rae's NDP government in Ontario had this problem with a bunch of hard-liner activists making pragmatism & compromise difficult within their caucus. If Layton can keep his rookie MPs in control and completely obedient to him, then they might be worthy of forming a government in another few years.

 

As for the Sun allegations, it's nakedly (pun not intended, but still hilarious) obvious what the motives behind it are. There's nothing else that needs to be said.

[Royalfun 55449]

It comforts me that somebody like Jack is going to see some massage providers. After all, he's not stealing anybody or doing wrong.

 

In this election, we need to have people at governement that are opened to the realities of today. Since many years now, and more recently, sex workers have asked that their job be more recognized, decriminalized and protected.

 

Maybe that with political leaders like Jack Layton, the issue of sex work in our society will go forward taking into account the real people. Like Jack says in French: " je suis ici pour Monsieur et Madame Tout-le-monde".

[Guest f***2f***]

This is probably the only good economic idea Jack Layton has...support sex workers! I love it. Made him human. Wouldn't vote for him or his party in a thousand years as we would all be in the economic toilet when he was finished his mandate but it's a good story.

[CMJ 14869]

Hey to each his own, the only thing about this story that lowers my opinion of Layton is his claim he had no idea anything iilicit was taking place at the MP. Certainly sets of the BS alarms.

 

I'm more concerned with the NDP economic platform and the fact that their Quebec caucus are pretty much all soveriegntists.

 

Interesting article here.

 

If we end up with an NDP government we'll get tax increases for sure... how much will depend on how much of their platform they decide renounce.

 

We'll get a worsening of the Quebec issue because he has all but embraced the Bloc demands, if he fails to deliver his Que caucus will split off ala Lucien Bouchard his government will fall and we'll have yet another election.

 

And how do you know they will raise the taxes? Which party was responsible for GST, and HST and keeping it in tact? Harper lowered the GST cause he knew that the HST was just around the corner so the 2% spread over 2 years was peanuts compared to the 8% increase the LIEbrals gave us.

 

They waste waste waste and then fear mongrel us by saying NDP will raise taxes. We can take the left over 1.5 BILLION that the DND didn't spend and MUST give back http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=aaf79cca-bf4e-4900-9e20-67df2ef071f4 and spend that money on some of the social programs that Jack wants to introduce.

 

The money is there people, we are one of the wealthiest countries in the world, its about distribution and not wasting resources -

 

Don't believe the bullshit - there isnt enough, he cant pssible afford, he will raise taxes...... BLAH BLAH BLAH

[roamingguy 300292]

You know, the more I think about it, maybe the Liberals had the info in their back pocket...Layton and the NDP are taking votes away from the Liberals, they could have tipped the Sun (a conservative paper). We all think the Conservatives did it, and the Liberals hope to reap the rewards

But it really is a sad commentary on life that the public is likely more concerned about a massage that happened 16 years ago, than in current public discourse on issues.

RG

[CMJ 14869]

You know, the more I think about it, maybe the Liberals had the info in their back pocket...Layton and the NDP are taking votes away from the Liberals, they could have tipped the Sun (a conservative paper). We all think the Conservatives did it, and the Liberals hope to reap the rewards

But it really is a sad commentary on life that the public is likely more concerned about a massage that happened 16 years ago, than in current public discourse on issues.

RG

 

Then people need to stop feeding the fire. "Energy flows where attention goes" - positive energy creates and negativity destroys - always remember that !!

 

As Ghandi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world" - live it, breath it, be it.

 

I know easier said then done, but it starts with just one simple change you make.

 

Stop judging others when you do not wish to be judged, do not lie to others if you do not want to be lied to, to not steal from others if you do not want to be stolen from, treat others as you wish to be treated.

 

Love Life, Live Life and Laugh and be Thankful

[rickoshadows 937]

But it really is a sad commentary on life that the public is likely more concerned about a massage that happened 16 years ago, than in current public discourse on issues.

RG

 

Well we don't know yet, if the public is more concerned about Jack's 16 year old misfortune. We do know that the Sun is concerned about the NDP. We will see how this plays out over the weekend.

[etasman2000 15994]

Then people need to stop feeding the fire. "Energy flows where attention goes" - positive energy creates and negativity destroys - always remember that !!

 

Going to hijack the thread and say "Go Vote!

 

I don't care what party and why just "Go Vote!" this Monday.

[whiteman 14028]

Toronto councillor using the media attention to try and "clean up" the nearly 3000 Massage Parlours in T.O. Gotta wonder, if that many body-rob parlours can stay in business they must have customers...who would they be??? Let me think...taxpayers and voters!

That Toronto councillor working to clean up the massage parlours, Giorgio Mammoliti, should we start the countdown clock to see when he's caught in one? What does the name "Mammaliti" mean anyways? It sounds like little breasts, or itty-bitty titties, or something like that. :)

[rickoshadows 937]

So, does this mean the term "Jack Shack" is now official?

[CMJ 14869]

So, does this mean the term "Jack Shack" is now official?

 

I LOVE IT - I think the sooner people start to except the simple fact that sexuality is part of our nature (THE BETTER) and as long as no one is being expoited or taken advantage of, and provided they are participating in an equally beneficial arrangement... then it ain't no bodies business (imagine a cajan slang accent) except the people involved.

[Jabba 18389]

In response to the original post:

Yes, this is indeed an inconvenient time for this information to be released. IMO, was Jack unaware of what was going on....who knows. How did the media get ahold of this info - that's the rub.

 

Is anybody really squeaky clean?

Is getting caught in a rub-joint the worst career breaker?

More questions than answers - but who gives a crap. I personally don't care for the man because he strikes me as being totally insincere and without a plan for the country (just the same as the other guys).

 

The NDP isn't going to be my voting choice and never will be. But that decision isn't based on innuendo or any other moral motives. This thread was started based on a media report and I'm just sticking to the theme.

[Capital Hunter 18263]

Mr. Layton climbed 17 points, to 97, on the Nanos Leadership Index, which measures perceptions of the leaders' trustworthiness, competence and vision for Canada.

 

That compared to 88 for Mr. Harper and 39 points for Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.

 

"The one-day polling completed on the same day that the massage-parlour story broke showed that Jack Layton's score improved, including perceptions related to trust," said Mr. Nanos.

 

"This suggests that the story in fact helped Jack Layton, he said "A number of Canadians likely viewed it as a deliberate political smear."

[Jabba 18389]

Mr. Layton climbed 17 points, to 97, on the Nanos Leadership Index, which measures perceptions of the leaders' trustworthiness, competence and vision for Canada.

 

That compared to 88 for Mr. Harper and 39 points for Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.

 

"The one-day polling completed on the same day that the massage-parlour story broke showed that Jack Layton's score improved, including perceptions related to trust," said Mr. Nanos.

 

"This suggests that the story in fact helped Jack Layton, he said "A number of Canadians likely viewed it as a deliberate political smear."

 

Yeah, but will Jack help his cause for political transparency by admitting he was there for a rub&tug? (with the transparent/moral approval of wifey?).

 

I don't intend to render a moral judgement. I'm a non-political person. Politics and morals are a mutually exclusive privilege. If someone has a political expression, let it be on that political basis rather than on something more or less on pure emotionalism.