Police allege there was a flurry of calls about Rob Ford video

TORONTO – Court documents show that Toronto police have identified a flurry of 50 communications in relation to the so-called Rob Ford crack video the day media reports were first published about it.

Some of the intercepted calls are detailed in portions released today of documents containing Toronto police allegations that haven’t been proven in court.

The release of the information was opposed today in court by a lawyer for Alexander Lisi, a friend of the Toronto mayor, who is charged with extortion for alleged attempts to get his hands on the video.

Seth Weinstein says portions of the documents still under publication ban go to the heart of the prosecution on the extortion charge.

Police allege that as Lisi was trying to get the video appearing to show Ford smoking a narcotic, Lisi made several calls to alleged gang members as well as Ford’s cellphone, home and OnStar number.

Media lawyer Peter Jacobsen says there is no specific allegation that the mayor was trying to get his hands on the video or that Lisi was acting on the mayor’s behalf.