Nearly five months after vehemently denying allegations of drug use, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admitted Tuesday that he has smoked crack cocaine in the past.
"Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine," he told a group of reporters Tuesday. "But, no, do I? Am I an addict? No. Have I tried it? Probably in one of my drunken stupors. Probably approximately about a year ago… Yes, I've made mistakes. All I can do now is apologize and move on."
The admission comes after
Gawker first reported in May on the existence of a video that purportedly showed Ford, 44, smoking crack. Last week,
two Toronto Star reporters claimed they, too, had seen the video, and on Thursday Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair said he had possession of the clip and was in the middle of an investigation.
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On Sunday, Blair released part of a police document detailing the investigation into the crack video and Ford's relationship with accused drug dealer Alexander "Sandro" Lisi, who was arrested Oct. 1 on drug charges.
"The lengthy document reveals a meticulous police investigation that included surveillance of Ford, Lisi, and others from an airplane, cameras mounted on telephone poles, and from a special mobile team of officers," the Star reported. "Massive sections of the document containing what are described as 'transcripts' are blacked out."
Shortly after
Ford's confession Tuesday, he spoke with the Toronto Sun about it.
"I feel like I got 1,000 pounds off my back," he said. "I felt I had to say it. It is what is. I feel two inches high right now but I needed to deal with it. I am not going to quit or take a leave… I am not a crackhead or junkie."
Many poked fun at Ford on Twitter.
Ford previously denied using crack cocaine at a press conference back in May:
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