Councillor takes action on cop’s claims
Merulla files complaints over online posts linking him to the mob
A city councillor has filed harassment complaints alleging he was falsely linked to the mob by a Hamilton cop who is suing his own police service.
Coun. Sam Merulla said he complained to both Hamilton police and Ontario’s police watchdog this spring claiming Const. Paul Manning is harassing him with “hateful” and “fabricated” online posts alleging he is connected to the Musitano crime family.
He said he wants a retraction and apology from Manning, or a “full public hearing” to fight the “slander.”
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director has referred the complaint to Hamilton police for an investigation, but the watchdog agency has assigned a case manager and will oversee the probe.
But Manning, a former undercover cop who has been on medical leave since 2013, called the councillor’s accusation “simply untrue” in an interview.
“I’ve never said he is a member of the Musitano crime family,” he said.
Instead, the former undercover officer said he has stated the councillor “was a target in our undercover organized crime operation.”
Manning also said he was aware Hamilton police were investigating a criminal harassment complaint against him, but added he was told it was deemed “unfounded.”
Merulla said he has not been informed the probe is finished.
Spokesperson Jackie Penman said Hamilton police do not comment on or confirm criminal complaints under investigation.
Manning and Merulla have previously disparaged each other publicly on Twitter, although the councillor has recently axed his account on the social media website. In the past, the Ward 4 councillor has dismissed social media posts referencing the mob as “nonsense” and racist, because he is of Italian descent.
But he said via email Thursday he fears the posts and social media “tinfoil hat conspiracies” are endangering his family, particularly after the high-profile gun death of Angelo Musitano and the near-fatal shooting of Pat Musitano.
Earlier this month, Manning tweeted photos of an apartment he said he rented from the councillor during his time working as an undercover officer in the mid-2000s.
Merulla confirmed by email he once rented a James Street property to the officer.
“This is the only reason I can think about that would start his obsession with me,” he said.
Manning argued any references to the councillor on social media are “based on facts” and fair criticism. He suggested that opinion will eventually be borne out in public if his long-delayed lawsuit against Hamilton police goes to trial.
The former undercover cop, a vocal police critic who identifies himself as a whistleblower online, is involved in legal controversies with police officials in more than one city.
Most notably, Manning filed an explosive lawsuit against the Hamilton police service alleging corruption and that a high-ranking colleague in the service deliberately blew his cover during an organized crime probe.
Manning told The Spectator and Toronto Star in 2016 that the alleged betrayal nearly got him killed and led him to consider suicide, at different points driving his cruiser into a pole and holding a gun in his mouth.
He said he was diagnosed with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, suffered from depression and remains unable to work.
His lawsuit allegations, which police have labelled “frivolous or vexatious,” have not been tested in court.
Manning was recently awarded $20,000 by a judge over delays in dealing with the lawsuit.
Manning also has a union grievance filed against past and current police service board members.
Among them he names the chief and Coun. Lloyd Ferguson, the former chair — alleging they called him “crazy” and “nuts” in an effort to discredit his lawsuit.
The Ottawa Citizen also reported late last year that Ottawa police sought a court injunction against Manning after audio recordings of a police union official were posted online.
The story says the recordings included discussions about an undercover operation and the head of the local police services board.