Rob Ford crack video released after charge withdrawn against Sandro Lisi

The infamousvideo of Toronto's deceased former mayor, Rob Ford, smoking crack cocaine is now public, and for the first time can be viewed outside a courtroom.

• Video of Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine can be made public, judge rules
• OBITUARY |Rob Ford, former Toronto mayor, dead at 46

The video, shot in February 2013, was released Thursday morning after an extortion charge was withdrawn against Alexander (Sandro) Lisi, Ford's friend and former driver. Itshows Ford swearing andmumbling while holding a crack pipe in his left hand, which he lights up and draws on, releasinga wispof smoke.

Onthe video, Fordspeaks with Elena Basso, who remains off-camera. Bassolives at15 Windsor Dr., locatedin the west Toronto suburbof Etobicoke, where the video is said to have been filmed.

The video was entered as evidence in a court proceeding againstLisi, who was accused of extortion overhis attemptsto retrieve the cellphone that contained thevideo whichproved to be politically explosive forFord.

Complete transcript below

Media first reported the video'sexistence in May2013,sparking a year of controversy in Toronto and around the world during whichFord repeatedly denied that he smoked crack cocaine.

The scandal triggereda police investigation. Eventually investigators discovered the video on a laptop seized as part of a guns-and-gangs raid.Toronto's police chief at the time, Bill Blair, declaredhe was "disappointed" after viewing the recording.

Ford was never charged.

He eventually admittedto substance abuse andchecked into a rehab facility in the Muskoka region, north of Toronto.

He emerged from treatmentand resumedhis bid for re-election as mayor.

Butin September 2014 he was forced to withdraw from the mayoralrace, announcing he had been diagnosed with cancer. Hisbrother Doug replaced him on the ballot but lost to John Tory. Rob Ford ran for his old seat on council and was elected.

Ford's health, however, continued to deteriorate and hedied of cancer in March of this year.

On Thursday, Superior Court Justice Ian MacDonnell said dropping the chargeagainst Lisi"closes a rather tumultuous chapter in our city's civic life."

Transcript of video

The following is a transcript of the Rob Ford crack video prepared by Crown prosecutors.

Rob FORD: (Inaudible).

Elena BASSO: That's why he wants to be involved in everything ---

FORD:--- I know (inaudible) ---

BASSO: --- he wants to fight everybody's battles ---

FORD: --- (inaudible) ---

BASSO: --- and, and, it's going to, excuse me, kill you.

FORD: (Inaudible) kill f--kin' ---

BASSO: --- don't do it.

FORD: The kids (inaudible) ---

BASSO: --- the kids are important to you ---

FORD: --- yeah ---

BASSO: --- that's, that's, that's what drives you baby, that's what I love.

FORD: (Inaudible)

BASSO: That's why we love you.

FORD: (Inaudible).

BASSO: Okay.

FORD: I don't know (inaudible) Kathy ---

BASO: --- your children, your family, your kids ---

FORD: --- (inaudible) ---

BASSO: --- your f--kin' footballers ---

FORD: --- (inaudible) ---

BASSO: --- your, your kids that play football, that's what drives you. Family, kids ---

FORD: --- f--k (inaudible) the minorities dude ---

BASSO: --- f--kin' ---

FORD: --- and I'm right wing. I f--kin' take these kids under my wing ---

BASSO: --- you're right wing?

FORD: No they say I'm this right wing ---

BASSO: --- oh yeah ---

FORD: --- radical f--kin' guy ---

BASSO: --- oh yeah, sure, sure, sure ---

FORD: --- yeah I'm (inaudible) ---

BASSO: --- yeah sure, oh yeah.

FORD: (Inaudible) ---

BASSO: --- then what the f--k is the Liberals then?

FORD: (Inaudible) Liban, Liban (inaudible).

BASSO: (Inaudible) Trudeau right there, I'd like, I'd like to get that f--kin' Justin Trudeau and shove my foot as far up his ass ---

FORD: --- (inaudible) ---

BASSO: --- 'cause I'm sure it goes real far ---

FORD: --- (inaudible) ---

BASSO: ---I'm sure my f--kin' he'll tickle his f--kin' nose hairs with my foot ---

FORD: --- (inaudible) ---

BASSO: --- up his ass 'cause he's such a f--kin' shit digger, man ---

FORD: --- (inaudible) fat d--k ---

BASSO: --- I hate Trudeau, man.

FORD: --- (inaudible) ---

BASSO: --- f--kin' bulls--t.

FORD: --- (inaudible) f--kin' on, bro.

UNKNOWN MALE: Hello?

FORD: I don't know if that cameras not on (inaudible).

BASSO: No ---

UNKNOWN MALE: --- hold on, hold on ---

BASSO: --- it's night.