Mississauga councillor resigns amid allegations another councillor repeatedly keyed her SUV at city hall

Editor's Note: CBCinitially didn't name the councillor accused of vandalismto give him time to respond but has since updated the story because the deadlinefor response expired.

A former Greater Toronto Area councillor says she suddenly resigned last month after her car was repeatedly vandalized and that city officials, including the mayor and the integrity commissioner, didn't address her safety concerns or fully investigate the alleged culprit.

While Karen Ras won't say who allegedly keyed her car eight times over two years, CBC News has learned police identifiedCoun. Ron Starras the suspect.

"Once I knew I couldn't get any resolution from the integrity commission, I knew my heart wasn't going to be in this role anymore, because there were no more avenues to seek out," Ras, who served as a councillor in Mississauga, Ont., for seven years, told CBC News. The city of more than 800,000 is adjacent to Toronto.

"It comes down to personal safety. Was this going to escalate? What was next? And it was just really deflating when there was no recourse."

Starr was allegedly caught on camera by city hall security staff using his key to scratch the paint of the front side ofRas'sKia SUV in April 2021, according to sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

CBC News has tried to contact Starr repeatedly overphone, text and email, and through his lawyer, but has not received a response.

It's unclear why Starrallegedly damaged the fellow councillor's vehicle.

Starr was first elected to Mississauga's councilin 2010 and currently is the chair of the audit and public vehicle advisory committees. Before becoming a councillor, Starr was the president of a family-owned development consulting firm and served on the board of the city's electrical utility, now called Alectra, for 30 years.

8 documented incidents

Ras first noticed damage to her vehicle in the spring of 2019, she said. Over the next two years, she documented eight separate incidents. Each time, her vehicle was parked in a private lot reserved for council members.

Ras reported those incidents to police, but nothing came of it until city hall security staff installed a surveillance camera in the garage, the sources said. In April 2021, the camera captured a man who appeared to be Starr vandalizing her car.

The city said it did receive a report of vandalism in the secure parking garage at that timebut that it doesn't comment on "the specifics of security incidents."

Peel Regional Policeconfirmed they investigated the incident but decided not to lay charges against Starr last summer"in consultation with the complainant and the Crown's office,"said Peel Regional Police spokesperson Akhil Mooken in an email to CBC News.

"Since no charges were laid, I am not able to share any specific details in regards to the investigation," he said.

Starr paidabout $1,250 for the damages to Ras's car, whichwas repaired in August, the sources said.

Integrity commissioner declines to investigate

Ras said that knowing the police investigation had closed, she turned to the city's integrity commissioner Robert Swayze in late September. He declined to investigate.

Swayze is responsible for investigating complaints about the behaviour of councillors that may violate Mississauga'scode of conduct. He declined to comment on the allegations, citing confidentiality issues, and didn't respond to a question about whether his office planned to investigate now that police have decided not to lay charges.

Mississauga's code of conduct states that all councillors must treat one another"appropriately and without abuse, bullying or intimidation and to ensure that their work environment is free from discrimination and harassment."

It also states that all complaints involving council members violating that respectful workplace policy be referred to the integrity commissioner. If a complaint is criminal in nature, the integrity commissioner is obligated to advise the person who complained to inform the appropriate police force.

Ras said Mayor Bonnie Crombie didn't address the alleged intimidation.

"Yes, she was aware of what was going on. I think there are opportunities for our leaders to try to build a more conciliatory environment," she told CBC News.

CBC News asked Crombieif she was aware of the incident and what, if any, action she took in response.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Crombie said the mayor became aware of an "alleged incident of vandalism" in the spring of 2021 and co-operated fully with the investigation. She declined to comment further.

Initially, Ras released a statement on Jan. 17, saying she'd vacate her seat 11 days later because, in part, of online abuse and workplace issues.

In her interview with CBC News Tuesday, Ras said she decided to share more details publicly after receiving messages from other female politicians and political staffthanking her for her statement.

"If we want to get more women into these roles, then something needs to change," Ras said.