Alexander Sandro Lisi was hoping to start work at the City of Toronto "with the endorsement of his close friend Mayor Rob Ford," according to a pre-sentence report created less than three weeks after news of the video scandal broke.

The report was prepared on June 10 by a probation officer. The report and a letter written by Mayor Rob Ford for Lisi was presented as part of his sentencing hearing on June 14.

Ford praised the work ethic and diplomacy of Lisi, his occasional driver who had been convicted of threatening to kill a woman.

Lisi is appealing the conviction.

A letter of support says Lisi was an “exemplary member of my campaign team where he displayed exceptional leadership skills”.

The letter was dated June 4 and written on City of Toronto letterhead.

Ford said he had known “Mr. Lisi for several years” and “he has always conducted himself in a courteous and polite manner.” On Ford’s 2010 election team, Lisi “worked hard both in and out of the campaign office.”

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“Mr Lisi has demonstrated to myself that he has a great work ethic and has always shown tact and diplomacy.”

Ford said he was happy to provide a “character reference” for Lisi.

The letter was made an exhibit in Lisi’s case on June 14 and is briefly referenced in a transcript of the hearing obtained by the Star. The Star argued in court Tuesday that the public had a right to access the letter and Justice Jane Kelly agreed.

Ford wrote the letter 10 days before Lisi's sentencing hearing.





Recently, when Lisi’s name made news as an accused drug trafficker with a record of criminal convictions for threats, harassment and drug possession, Ford expressed surprise that his longtime friend was facing serious accusations. He said Lisi, 35, was a “good guy,” and “I don’t throw my friends under the bus.”

Kelly agreed that "in an effort to get (the exhibits) into the hands of the media sooner rather than later" she would release the book of letters and reserve her decision on how much a pre-sentence report could be made public.

Lisi had told people the Star has interviewed that he has sold drugs to Ford. The Star has been unable to verify this claim by Lisi. Ford has not responded to multiple requests to comment in this issue.

At Lisi's sentencing hearing, the crown sought a custodial sentence and the defence asked for probation. In addition to the Ford letter, the court also released to the Star a letter from the Westway Animal clinic about Cola, a 13 year old pitbull pet that required twice weekly visits due to an illness. The letter was presented as a reason that Lisi could not be jailed.

Vita Nova, a drug and alcohol treatment centre, assessed Lisi in the fall of 2011 and noted he "appears to be naive when it comes to relationships with women." Vita Nova's executive director, Franca Carella, also said Lisi has a history of assaults and threatening women.

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"He appears to choose female companions who are not compatible."

Carella notes Lisi has been unemployed since June 2010 and under "house arrest." After six counselling sessions, Carella said he is "confident that he will be able to curtail his anger."

"(Lisi) now understands some of his frailties and is working hard at not making the same mistakes of his past in regard to relationships with women."

In the report, Lisi is described as unemployed and financially supported by his parents in Etobicoke.

The detective on the case told the author of the report that the victim on the Lisi case was "terrified" of Lisi. The detective also noted Lisi is a "repeat offender and has committed similar offences in the past."