Category: Politics

BREAKING: Restorative Justice session for Ottawa Police Constable Kristina Neilson ‘Private matter closed to media and public’

Police officer found guilty of ‘Discreditable Conduct’ for Freedom Convoy donation

Sentenced to 40 hours loss of pay and ‘Restorative Justice’

Insp. Hugh O’Toole

Ottawa Police will stage only one private ‘Restorative Justice’ session for Constable Kristina Neilson – who will meet with ‘affected community members’ as part of her punishment for donating $55 to the Freedom Convoy.

In an email to the author, Professional Standards Unit head Inspector Hugh O’Toole wrote:

“One session with the officer and some affected community members. Standard principles of restorative justice apply. A private matter that is closed to media and the public.”

Insider Reports were Correct: One Private ‘Restorative Justice’ Session

As we last reported on October 25, 2022 in our article ‘Insiders: Ottawa Police have a Problem… How to stage Constable Kristina Neilson’s Public Apology Sessions‘…

Ottawa Police Constable Kristina Neilson pleaded guilty to a charge of ‘Discreditable Conduct’ for donating $55 dollars to the Freedom Convoy. Part of the sentence is that Neilson attend ‘Restorative Justice’ where she will confess and apologize to the people of Ottawa – who will explain to her how she harmed them.

Also on October 25, 2022, we reported…

“According to police sources the Professional Standards Section wants to carefully select the audience for a single ‘Restorative Justice’ session that would be via invitation only.”

So our insider information was correct.

When the sentence was first announced, many members of the public who supported Constable Neilson condemned what they referred to as a ‘show trial’, and said that public ‘restorative justice’ sessions were designed to humiliate the officer and offer a deterrence to other police who supported the Charter of Rights and Canadians’ right to disagree with government.

One of our readers contributed an article ‘Calling Constable Neilson’s Sentence ‘Restorative Justice’ is Mocking and taking advantage of our First Nations‘, in which she said…

“We have family who escaped Communism – a struggle session is exactly what this is.

I feel immense guilt that we avoided the heavy cost that so many others paid. They sacrificed on our behalf – including Ottawa Police Constable Kristina Neilson. Please let her know that she has our support.

For those who orchestrated this show trial, I hope you’re able to feel that sense of fear in the pit of your belly, and sickness in your stomach because your conscience is yelling at you. They’re trying to set you straight, and you’d be advised to listen to them. Calling this ‘Restorative Justice’ is mocking and taking advantage of our First Nations, and you should be ashamed of yourselves for attempting this. I highly doubt our First Nations people would recognize this as bearing any resemblance to ‘restorative justice’. But our Chinese-born citizens who came here in the 60’s would certainly recognize this for exactly what it is.”

Carefully Staged Restorative Justice Session is by Invitation Only

No doubt the ‘affected community members’ invited to Constable Neilson’s private session will NOT include any of the thousands and thousands of Ottawa residents who support her or the Freedom Convoy.

That’s the whole idea of making the session private and by invitation only. That’s fine… Canadians know the truth about the staging of the session.

Famed NYPD Detective Frank Serpico Praised Ottawa Police Transparency

Professional Standards is a Soul-wrenching Duty for Police Officers

As a former Toronto Police Sergeant Detective who was heavily involved in investigations against corrupt police officers, Crown prosecutors, politicians, and judges… I am well aware of how difficult and soul-wrenching a duty it is.

I will never forget when I was at 52 Division Plainclothes having to obtain a search warrant against a fellow squad member. Three of us attended at his home on a Saturday morning while his children were watching cartoons and his wife was baking bread in the kitchen. We arrested our colleague and searched the home from top to bottom.

It couldn’t wait because what we were searching for (and found) would have disappeared.

Such is the reality when good police officers decide that their duty requires them to hunt down corrupt colleagues.

But then… Politics

I have no doubt that the charge against Constable Kristina Neilson was heavily influenced by politics. Certainly the recent testimony at the Public Order Emergency Commission confirms that government response to the Freedom Convoy at all levels and the use of the Emergencies Act was driven by politics – not by genuine necessity or law.

Ottawa Police Transparency

The Ottawa Police have recently been broadcasting internal disciplinary hearings over the Internet. This allows Canadians to attend and know about police disciplinary hearings first hand – uncensored by the legacy media.

I am not sure who is responsible for this new transparency, but it is reasonable to assume that Professional Standards Inspector Hugh O’Toole has much to do with the initiative. No longer will police charge and judge their own outside of public scrutiny.

I will write more on this subject in the future, but for now I want to make it clear that I believe the Ottawa Police are sincerely attempting to provide increased transparency and accountability to Canadians insofar as internal disciplinary hearings are concerned.

NYPD Detective Frank Serpico praised Ottawa Police

Legendary New York Police Detective and Medal of Honor recipient Frank Serpico praised the Ottawa Police Service for publicly broadcasting the disciplinary hearing against Detective Helen Grus.

(Detective Grus faces internal Police Act charges for conducting “unauthorized” investigations into the sudden deaths of nine infants – where she sought to know the vaccine status of the mothers.)

We reported on this in our article ‘Famed NYPD Detective Frank Serpico: Helen Grus case “Breakthrough in Police Transparency”

Ottawa Police abandoning video-broadcasting of Internal Trials?

In our courts and tribunals the implementation of Zoom and other video-conferencing technologies was a result of the ‘pandemic’ – but the many benefits of the technology (including increased transparency) are now proven.

I was recently disappointed to find that some of the new Ottawa Police disciplinary hearings are not scheduled for public broadcast.

When police are investigating, charging, and judging themselves – Canadians deserve the genuine transparency that video-broadcasting brings to the process.

Hopefully the Ottawa Police are not returning to the old ways where ‘public transparency’ of internal trials was limited to whether or not a reporter knew about the matter, was available to attend, took an interest, and had an editor who would publish the story. Such a system leaves much room for doubt and cannot truly be called ‘transparent’.

Donald Best

November 13, 2022

Calling Constable Neilson’s sentence ‘Restorative Justice’ is mocking and taking advantage of our First Nations

“We have family who escaped Communism – a struggle session is exactly what this is.”

“I highly doubt our First Nations people would recognize this as bearing any resemblance to ‘restorative justice’. But our Chinese-born citizens who came here in the 60’s would certainly recognize this for exactly what it is.”

by Jane

We feel torn and guilty, but grateful, that a death in our family meant we just didn’t have the cycles to donate to the Freedom Convoy, but we noted it in the background with pride and gratitude. Just at the point we were about to donate things got threatening and heavy and we paused. Had we not done so my husband’s job with a large mainstream company would have been in peril, especially as we chose not to vaccinate for health reasons.

We have family who escaped Communism – a struggle session is exactly what this is.

For those of us who were: denied family contact; jobs threatened or lost; restricted from accessing ‘public’ services; who were forbidden to travel for any reason; denied necessary medical treatment; who were threatened with forced unwanted medical treatment and/or forced confinement, who were treated as less than 2nd class citizens; etc… – where is OUR restorative justice? Where is our opportunity to put the ‘people from Ottawa’ on trial for selectively and illegally supporting select violent social justice movements while demonizing others comprised of decent people who want the constitutional rights of all Canadians upheld?

“Where is OUR restorative justice? Where is our opportunity to put the ‘people from Ottawa’ on trial for selectively and illegally supporting select violent social justice movements while demonizing others comprised of decent people who want the constitutional rights of all Canadians upheld?”

I feel immense guilt that we avoided the heavy cost that so many others paid. They sacrificed on our behalf – including Ottawa Police Constable Kristina Neilson. Please let her know that she has our support.

For those who orchestrated this show trial, I hope you’re able to feel that sense of fear in the pit of your belly, and sickness in your stomach because your conscience is yelling at you. They’re trying to set you straight, and you’d be advised to listen to them. Calling this ‘Restorative Justice’ is mocking and taking advantage of our First Nations, and you should be ashamed of yourselves for attempting this. I highly doubt our First Nations people would recognize this as bearing any resemblance to ‘restorative justice’. But our Chinese-born citizens who came here in the 60’s would certainly recognize this for exactly what it is.

The above was submitted by reader Jane as a comment on the article: Insiders: Ottawa Police have a Problem… How to Stage Constable Kristina Neilson’s Public Apology Sessions.

 

Insiders: Ottawa Police have a problem… How to stage Constable Kristina Neilson’s public apology sessions.

What if citizens at the ‘Restorative Justice’ meetings publicly state their support for Constable Neilson?

“Insiders say the Ottawa Police will tightly control the ‘Restorative Justice’ apology sessions included in the proposed sentence for Constable Kristina Neilson – but there is an internal debate as to whether the sessions should be invitation-only or open to the public.”

Ottawa Police Constable Kristina Neilson recently pleaded guilty to a charge of ‘Discreditable Conduct’ for donating $55 dollars to the Freedom Convoy. Part of the jointly proposed sentence is that Neilson will attend ‘Restorative Justice’ sessions where she will confess and apologize to the people of Ottawa – who will explain to her how she harmed them. The sentence is yet to be confirmed by the Trials Officer, who will release his decision in writing. (Ottawa Police will post the decision here when released.)

“The penalty that we’re proposing here, it gets designed, of course, it’s intended to address all the factors that I’ve outlined previously, and of course, to serve as a punitive measure. But above all else, all else, this penalty, specifically the restorative justice aspect of this penalty. The intention is to provide an opportunity to members of the Ottawa community to meet with Constable Neilson and explain how her actions by donating to this occupation affected them and the services they provide.”

Ottawa Police Prosecutor Angela Stewart at the October 6, 2022 sentencing hearing.

But what if citizens at the sessions publicly state their support for Constable Neilson? What if people voice displeasure that the Ottawa Police charged the officer and then forced a guilty plea under a threat to fire her?

That is the concern of the Ottawa Police Command Officers and Professional Standards Unit as they consider how to carefully stage the event or events.

According to police sources the Professional Standards Section wants to carefully select the audience for a single ‘Restorative Justice’ session that would be via invitation only. There might be a second internal session for police personnel only. Selected news media would also be invited to the closed sessions.

But at least one senior Ottawa Police officer (Inspector rank or higher) wants to see the public admitted to the sessions because the officer is concerned that the entire event will “look like a show trial” without open participation by Ottawa residents. This also according to an internal source who contacted the writer.

“Millions of Canadians coast-to-coast cheered the convoys on their journeys to Ottawa. Many including myself find the charges against Constable Neilson and other police personnel to be reprehensible, and entirely politically motivated.”

The problem is, of course, that once the public is admitted to the sessions – all bets are off.

Suppose Ottawa citizens at Constable Neilson’s ‘Restorative Justice’ sessions start quoting high-ranking police witnesses from the Emergency Act Inquiry – who stated that the declaration of the act was not justified? What could be done if people publicly read from the decision of Ontario Superior Court Mr. Justice McLean describing the Freedom Convoy as “a peaceful, lawful and safe protest” ???

Worst of all for ‘Restorative Justice’, suppose citizens quote from the mounting tsunami of admissions by government and medical authorities that the vaccine mandates and lockdowns were not only unjustified – but that the mandates took more lives and caused more harm than without?

There is a chance that a public ‘Restorative Justice’ session will further embarrass the Ottawa Police and make Constable Neilson into a victim-hero whose doubts about the mandates and support for the Freedom Convoy were fully justified.

Perhaps some senior officers are now regretting charging Constable Neilson? Even her coerced guilty plea continues to pour fuel on the raging dumpster fire that is the credibility of the Ottawa Police Command Leadership.

See our October 2, 2022 article: Ottawa Police Constable Kristina Neilson to take Plea Deal for $50 Convoy Donation. A Hollow Victory for the Prosecution.

Big Puff Podcast Covers Detective Helen Grus Story

“So this Helen Grus is a conscientious police detective, right? Who is doing her job trying to to get to the bottom of these infant deaths.

But because she tried to investigate whether there’s a link between these sudden infant deaths and vaccines, she got cancelled. She’s suspended. And now her name is being dragged through the mud. But check this man… All the charges did was shine a light on what she was doing. And this story is going worldwide, bro.”

… The Big Puff Podcast

Lex and Beach of The Big Puff Podcast spent only the first 5 minutes of their show talking about Ottawa Police Detective Helen Grus – who faces internal Police Act charges for conducting “unauthorized” investigations into the sudden deaths of nine infants where she sought to know the vaccine status of the mothers.

… but then they had me for the entire 47 minutes. Lex and Beach were so interesting, topical, fun, and irreverent that their Big Puff Podcast stole almost an hour from me in the middle of a busy day.

Here are the subjects and times into the August 23, 2022 Big Puff Podcast…

00:00 Ottawa Police Detective Helen Grus

03:23 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood.

05:14 Normalizing SIDS, Childhood dementia

06:39 Government discontinues record-keeping re Covid vaccination statistics

10:00 Government narrative shifts from Covid to Climate Change

11:00 Co2 credit card

13:18 Patrick Moore & Greenpeace.

14:15 Patrick Moore Polar Bear book vs government Climate Change narrative.

26:21 Tennis pro Novak Djokovic

28:21 VAIDS – Vaccine Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

30:00 Autism causes, theories.

35:00 Observed psychological and personality changes in Vax’d persons.

39:39 Roundup & glyphosate.

43:00 Line City in Saudi Arabia

 

Big Puff Podcast – Spotify Link…

https://open.spotify.com/episode/01LydUWVh6eyE7VDbQUbeT?si=egMrHrsERGajcGzT2xjr8g&nd=1

 

Transcript

BigPuff004 Big Puff Podcast

August 23, 2022 • Running time: 47:33

Auto transcribed. Not suitable for court.

 

SPEAKERS

Lex, Beach

 

Lex  00:01

Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye. You’re listening to the dopest podcast from the root to the fruit. The Big Puff Podcast. Coming to you from the shadow of the bomb, Quebec Canada. My name is Lex and my co-host is Beach. What’s up Beach?

Beach  00:20

Hey, what’s going on? Weekly hang. Man, loving it.

Lex  00:25

Me too man. Wouldn’t miss it.

Beach  00:29

So dude, what’s going on, man? I’m ready for a little conversation. You know, I’m talking about the conservation of conversation,

Lex  00:37

My man. Well, let’s kick things kick things off with this, bro. This is an article from DonaldBest.ca. Donald Best is a former Sergeant Detective from Ontario, turned investigative journalist and whistleblower. And this guy has been killing it on DonaldBest.ca and on Twitter throughout the plandemic.

Lex  01:01

And this story is a recent one from today I believe today or yesterday. And the title you can find it at DonaldBest.CA is called ‘Worldwide Interest in Ottawa Police Detective’s Sudden Infant Death Investigations.’

Lex  01:16

So check this my man. Ottawa Police Detective Helen Grus – I think I’m pronouncing that right G R U S. – faces internal Police Act charges for conducting unauthorized investigations into the sudden death of nine infants where she sought to know the vaccine status of the mothers.

Lex  01:37

So this is a conscientious detective, right? Who is doing her job basically right? Trying to to get to the bottom of these deaths in infants. Right. But because she tried to investigate whether there’s a link between these sudden deaths and vaccines, she got canceled basically right. She’s suspended. Right. And now her name is being dragged through the mud. But check this man. All that did was shine a light on what she was doing. And this story is going worldwide, bro.

Beach  02:14

It’s like a little bit of a Erin Brockovich style or something like that.

Read more

Detective Helen Grus Sent Email to Ottawa Police Service Questioning Vaccine Adverse Effects and Deaths

BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: Read the email that Ottawa Police Detective Helen Grus sent to the Chief of Police and fellow officers in September 2021.

Ottawa Police Detective Helen Grus faces internal ‘Discreditable Conduct’ charges for initiating an investigation into possible connections between nine sudden infant deaths and the COVID vaccine status of the mothers.

Grus, an experienced detective with the Sexual Assault & Child Abuse Section, was initially suspended without pay in January 2022 for refusing to declare her private medical information. The Ottawa Police Service mandated that all employees were to be injected with the experimental mRNA gene therapies commonly known as the ‘COVID vaccine’.

The detective then became the subject of an internal investigation alleging that she “self initiated an unauthorized project” and accessed police records about nine sudden infant deaths. The Ottawa Police formally charged Grus in July, 2022. Her next appearance before the internal court is on September 15, 2022.

After I covered the case on my Twitter feed, numerous sources supplied me with copies of an email purportedly sent by Detective Grus to then-Chief of Police Peter Sloly and many other police colleagues in September, 2021.

I will have much more to say about this case in the coming days, but for now I have satisfied myself that the following email was written and sent by Detective Helen Grus. It is an accurate copy of the words, but I have broken a few of the longer paragraphs into shorter sections for readability, and added ‘(Ottawa City Manager)’ to clarify the role of Steven Kanellakos who is mentioned in the email.

Please credit DonaldBest.CA and link back, or to my Twitter feed: @DonaldBestCA

Following is the text of an email sent by Ottawa Police Detective Helen Grus to her police colleagues in September of 2021.***

Helen Grus #1631

Ottawa Police Service

Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section

September, 2021

To my dear police family,

Over 18 years ago, I joined OPS and have never regretted the blessed opportunity I was afforded. There is no greater happiness in life than to help those truly in need. I am doubly blessed as I have been granted the good fortune of serving our communities proudly with you.

Being raised by God fearing parents who fled socialistic regimes where citizen’s rights to education, jobs, housing and freedom of travel were restricted based on their religious beliefs and political affiliations.

I was taught life was to be lived with dignity, honour, always seeking the truth and always staying true to and loving your family, your country and God!

Family extends to friends, colleagues, neighbours and the community as a whole. I can say without a doubt, my family has given me strength, happiness and support throughout the years. Never does a day go by that I do not thank God for my family and this life I love!

Canada’s Constitution and our Charter of Rights and Freedoms have made Canada an amazing place to call home. As a police officer, I am honoured to have solemnly sworn to uphold this Constitution, which protects all our citizens’ rights and freedoms. I am a proud Canadian who loves my county.

My faith in God is strong. Everything just fell into place throughout my entire life; family, friends, good health, amazing career, the list is endless. Some call it chance, I consider my life to be blessed by someone much greater than you or I.

This past year and a half has been challenging for everyone. Watching news releases each day I fell back on my investigative skills directing me to seek out the source information in attempts to corroborate the doom and gloom of each day’s news reports on Covid-19 deaths, cases, prevention, transmission etc. I have researched countless peer-reviewed medical studies, government sites providing statistics, documents and data. I further have had extensive discussions with physicians, psychologists, community members who have suffered in result of not only the virus itself but also the crippling effects of the lockdowns; lost employment, mental health, discourse amongst friends, families and communities.

To be clear, I do not deny that people have contracted SARS-CoV-2; with varying outcomes including succumbing to the virus.

I do have serious concerns with the worldwide silencing of doctors, virologists, biologists,

pharmacists, psychologists etc.

Prior to submitting any further disclosure about my informed medical decisions in relation to

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, I wish to have OPS or designate answer the following:

  1. What is the probability of fatality from SARS-CoV-2 in Ottawa, Ontario and Canada?
  2. What is the probability of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 in Ottawa, Ontario and Canada?
  3. How do annual death rates compare from 2000 to date in Ottawa, Ontario and Canada?
  4. What is the guidance for certifying deaths from SARS-CoV-2 in Canada and why did the WHO alter the criteria at the onset of the proclaimed pandemic in relation to the guidance for certifying deaths from SARS-CoV-2?
  5. Has OPS reviewed the available databases of material adverse effects reported to date for people who have received the EUA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2?
  6. Is OPS aware of the adverse effects their own membership has experienced upon receipt of the EUA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2?
  7. Can you provide evidence that fully vaccinated persons do not contribute to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2?
  8. Can you provide evidence that increased vaccinations do not contribute to the evolution of the new variants?
  9. Can you provide evidence that the mandated EUA vaccines will be equally effective against newer variants?
  10. Can you provide evidence that conventional pharmaceutical treatments which are fully safety-tested, licenced and approved, like Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine, are ineffective?
  11. Are you aware that all vaccine producers; Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson have been granted indemnity and bear no liability for the consequences of their vaccines which are only in clinical trial phase and being distributed under Emergency Orders?
  12. Will OPS take full legal and financial liability for any injuries, adverse effects and/or death occurring to members following the receipt of any EUA vaccine potentially mandated?

Please understand, I love policing and I love coming to work each and every day. I do not wish to be insubordinate. I do not wish to be accommodated. I feel I can continue my regular duties in SACA safely and effectively without having to disclose my personal medical decision. I maintain my health with nutritious eating, exercise and attempt to acquire proper rest. I monitor my health with medical check-ups and as requested; complete the requested daily screening.

I do not envy the position of our decision makers and policy makers as the public outcry is extensive.

It is my informed opinion that much of the fear-based decision are based on the hear-say of the media’s non-stop narrative.

Having spoken to numerous colleagues at OPS, I do request OPS management, including Health & Safety check on the Mental Health of our members. Many are not only carrying the burden of the past year; responding to the rise in suicides and attempt suicides, seeing the destructive rise of opioid related deaths, overall mental health decline of society.

Most recently, the members that take pride in the rights and freedoms of our great nation are struggling with the strong-arm approach of “Employees who refuse to comply with the requirements of this policy will not be permitted in the workplace and may be subject to a variety of consequences, which can include leave without pay or discipline, up to and including dismissal”, by (Ottawa City Manager) Steven Kanellakos.

This has caused great stress to members, in a time when all members working at OPS have the right to work in an environment that is respectful and free of harassment and discrimination. All members have an individual responsibility to contribute to creating and maintaining a respectful workplace.

I conclude with a request for you to listen to Dr Julie Ponesse’s podcast, professor of Ethics at Western University.

I am proudly committed to protecting the safety, security and quality of life to our communities; side by side with my brothers and sisters in blue.

God Bless and Stay Safe,

Helen Grus #1631

SACA, OPS

*** NOTE from Donald Best about the sources of this email… ***

After I started reporting on the Detective Helen Grus case, I received numerous copies of the above email. For readability, I have broken a few of the longer paragraphs into shorter sections.

To assist those unfamiliar with Ottawa, I also inserted the words ‘(Ottawa City Manager)’ before the name ‘Steven Kanellakos’. The words ‘(Ottawa City Manager)’ were not in the copies of the email that I received.

Should there be any question about the accuracy of the email, I can be reached at [email protected]

Download the .pdf version here… 202109 Helen Grus OPS email corrected

(Note: The original pdf and article split Det. Grus’ Question #4 at ‘WHO…’ This is now corrected. August 16, 2022 21:30hrs. Barrie, Ontario time.)

Twitter: @DonaldBestCA original thread on the Detective Helen Grus case…

 

 

Hamilton Councillor Sam Merulla ignores invitation to explain Police Investigation of reported Mafia Connections

Sam Merulla mugs for the camera with a custom-made ‘The Councillor’ shirt.

Sam Merulla’s lawyer sends ‘Cease & Desist’ letter to journalist Donald Best.

by Donald Best, former Sergeant, Detective, Toronto Police

So far, neither Sam Merulla nor his lawyer A. Douglas Burns have responded to my reply to their ‘Cease & Desist’ letter emailed to me on June 11, 2019.

In my June 20, 2019 reply to Mr. Burns, I quoted from the cease & desist letter and offered my invitation to interview Councillor Merulla and/or Mr. Burns on camera so that Canadians will have Mr. Merulla’s side of the story for the first time.

To date, I have not received any response to my letter and must presume that Mr. Merulla has declined to be interviewed.

I’m sure that both Mr. Merulla and his lawyer understand that as an elected official, Councillor Merula’s listing in a leaked police document as an associate of members of organized crime is one of those stories that matter to ordinary Canadians.

In that context, I quote from my June 20, 2019 letter here, and provide copies below of both the June 11, 2019 ‘Cease & Desist’ letter and my June 2019 response – as well as links to my previous articles about Mr. Merulla.

Response by Journalist Donald Best to ‘Cease & Desist’ letter

Letter to A. Douglas Burns from Donald Best

June 20, 2019

1/ Councillor Sam Merulla ‘Cease & Desist’ letter, June 11, 2019.

2/ Invitation to Mr. Merulla to be interviewed on camera.

Dear Mr. Burns,

Thank you for your ‘Cease and Desist’ letter of June 11, 2019 on behalf of your client – Hamilton Ward 4 Councillor Sam Merulla, wherein you state:

“We act for Councillor Sam Merulla. In such capacity, we have been provided with a copy of your recent article.

Mr. Merulla is reluctant to respond to you directly but has requested that we write to you on his behalf that you cease and desist publishing articles replete with speculation and lack of fact or merit and that unnecessarily question the character of not only Councillor Merulla but the character of the late Bernie Morelli. Please govern yourself accordingly.”

I am delighted to hear that Councillor Sam Merulla read my articles, and that he asked you to respond on his behalf.

As you know firsthand from your client and after having yourself read my articles concerning Mr. Merulla, as part of my journalistic research and in the interest of accuracy and fairness, I sent article drafts to Mr. Merulla and invited him to respond prior to publishing.

As your letter confirms, Mr. Merulla did not take the opportunity to respond to my news stories or to clarify for the public how it is that he came to be listed in leaked police reports as a “known associate” of various members of organized crime including ‘Ndrangheta Mafia mob figures such as Antonio ‘Tony’ AGRESTA and the recently-murdered Angelo MUSITANO and his brother Pasquale of the Musitano Crime Family. 

I am currently traveling Canada with a professional film crew producing episodes for the forthcoming ‘Canadian Justice’ television series. In the last three weeks we’ve filmed and interviewed lawyers, law enforcement officers and ordinary citizens in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.

We will be in the Hamilton area in July and hereby offer you and/or Councillor Sam Merulla the opportunity to tell ordinary Canadians how it is that Mr. Merulla’s name is listed on an internal police organized crime report.

As to your intimidating warning to ‘govern myself accordingly’, as a journalist I shall continue to accurately and fairly cover stories that matter – and continue to do so without fear or favour.

I’m sure that you and your client understand that as an elected official, Councillor Merula’s listing in a leaked police document as an associate of members of organized crime is one of those stories that matter to ordinary Canadians.

Please contact me should you or Mr. Merulla agree to be professionally interviewed on camera for the Canadian Justice series.

Yours truly,

Donald Best [email protected]

Previous Articles about Hamilton City Councillor Sam Merulla

Leaked Police Report: Hamilton City Councillor Sam Merulla & Former Police Board Chair linked with Organized Crime, ‘Ndrangheta Mafia.

Hamilton Councillor Sam Merulla embraces police investigation of Mafia connections – with custom Godfather logo.

Notice to readers, including Persons and Entities mentoned in articles

As always, if anyone disagrees with anything published at DonaldBest.CA or wishes to provide a public response or comment, please contact me at [email protected] and I will publish your writing with equal prominence. Comments left on articles are moderated about once a day. Or, of course, you can sue me and serve my lawyer Paul Slansky. You can find Mr. Slansky’s information here.

Photos have been included to put context to the article. Their use is the same as with other Canadian news outlets.

Readers are also encouraged to thoroughly study all the evidence available here at DonaldBest.CA, to perform independent research on the Internet and elsewhere, to consider all sides and to make up their own minds as to the events reported on DonaldBest.CA.

Donald Best
Barrie, Ontario, Canada

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