“Concerned that a [local media exposé] would sensationalize” a string of former charges against him, Ward 2 councillor Howard Shore revealed mental health issues, namely depression, are behind the “embarrassing incidents.” The charges include allegedly stalking a female lawyer and stealing a cellphone in Florida, where he spent 11 days in jail. All but one charge have since been dropped. Shore was accused of allegedly stealing an iPhone from the Thornhill Community Centre late last year.
“I have no doubt that mental health issues have played a role in various aspects of my life,” Shore said. “As a result of my illness, I have been involved in some incidents which are very embarrassing to me and my family,” he added in a letter to residents on his website.
Although Shore said he could not address his past transgressions for fear of prejudicing the current case against him, he said the public has been misinformed. Shore said he spent time in jail not because he was convicted, but because his lawyer did not inform him of a hearing date.
“It’s quite correct to say in 2007 I entered a plea of no contest in Florida, but I did that solely because I didn’t have the financial means to dispute some very false accusations directed at me,” he explained.