City of Mississauga hit with nearly $700K lawsuit as former councillor alleges repeated harassment
A former Mississauga city councillor has filed a lawsuit against a former council colleague who allegedly repeatedly harassed her, and also the City of Mississauga for its failure to “take preventative action to prevent harassment or the creation of a poisoned environment.”
Former Ward 2 councillor, Karen Ras, resigned in January citing “workplace issues” and her inability to appropriately address them in her role. She was first elected as city councillor in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018.
“Make no mistake – being an elected official and councillor is a tough job. As rewarding as it can be, we deal with some difficult people that make us question ‘is this worth it?’ and at times raise concerns for our personal safety,” Ras wrote in a statement on her website in January.
It was later revealed that her car was repeatedly scratched over a span of two years while parked in a city hall lot and that then-Ward 6 councillor Ron Starr was allegedly behind the vandalism.
On July 5, Mississauga’s integrity commissioner, Robert J. Swayze, found Starr had scratched Ras’ car in April 2021, but that the vehicle was first scratched in the spring of 2019.
Swayze said in the report that the car’s front bumper was found with scratches on it multiple times when it was parked in the city hall garage. To investigate the most recent incident from April 13, 2021, Swayze reviewed surveillance footage of the garage, which he said showed Starr leaving his truck and making his way to Ras’ car.
“He is clearly seen through the side and front window of her car, crouching down and turning to face the grill of her car within touching distance from the car. He then stood up and walked to the garage exit,” Swayze said in the report.
Starr’s lawyer Adriana Di Biase, of Bisceglia & Associates, replied to CTV News Toronto’s request for comment to speak on behalf of the former councillor.
“Mr. Starr has maintained his innocence throughout,” Di Biase said in an emailed statement, adding Starr denies all allegations against him in Ras’ statement of claim.
“We will be disputing the allegations in court.”
LAWSUIT FILED
A statement of claim was filed to Toronto’s Superior Court of Justice on Nov. 29, according to the legal documents obtained by CTV News Toronto.
In it, Ras’s lawyer Kathryn Marshall, of Levitt Sheikh LLP, alleges her client was “constructively dismissed,” saying the City failed to adhere to its code of conduct to ensure a harassment-free work environment, leaving Ras to feel she had no choice but to abandon her employment.
“It was an implied term of Ms. Ras’s employment as a Councillor with the City that it would maintain a workplace free from harassment, provide a safe and healthy work environment, and conduct an unbiased, fulsome and transparent investigation into any complaints of harassment or bullying,” Marshall wrote in the statement of claim.
“The City failed to do this, thus condoning an environment [where] Ms. Ras could no longer continue in her role nor could she continue to serve the public,” Marshall said, adding Ras was left with no choice but to cut her four-year term early and resign from her post.
A spokesperson for the City of Mississauga confirmed to CTV News Toronto Wednesday that the clerk’s office had received the statement of claim, and said it would take all steps necessary to defend the city.
“As this matter is now before the courts, the City will not be commenting on it,” the emailed statement reads.
In total, Ras is seeking nearly $700,000 in damages. She's seeking $500,000 from the city for bad faith, moral, and punitive damages, $100,000 in damages against Starr for intentional infliction and mental suffering, alleging he committed the vandalism as a means of harassment, and $86,303, or 10 months' worth of pay, for her dismissal.
“This is outrageous behaviour that was dangerous, planned, deliberate and intended to intimidate and keep Ms. Ras in constant fear," Marshall said.
With files from Katherine DeClerq, and CP24’s Bryann Aguilar and Kerrisa Wilson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.