A candidate for mayor in Ottawa’s municipal election is facing charges for allegedly making threats against Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford earlier this month.
Geoffrey Nicholas Griplas was charged in Kingston, Ont., on Tuesday with two counts of criminal harassment and two counts of uttering threats.
Court documents show the charges are in connection to alleged threats made in social media posts between Sept. 6 and Sept. 13. The alleged incidents took place in Kingston.
The Kingston Police Service tells CTV News Ottawa it was made aware of “concerning behaviour and comments made by an individual residing transiently in Ontario and Quebec” on Sunday, Sept. 13.
“The comments, which were posted online, espoused violence against current political figures, specifically Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe,” Const. Anthony Colangeli said in an email.
“Investigators with the Kingston Police formed grounds to charge a 48-year-old accused with two counts of criminal harassment and two counts of uttering threats to cause death.”
Colangeli said the suspect was arrested by Ottawa Police Service officers at an address in Ottawa on Tuesday and was transported to Kingston.
“Upon arrest, the accused was found to be in possession of a firearm and was further charged with possession of a weapon for committing an offence, possess a firearm without holding a license and occupy motor vehicle with a firearm,” Colangeli said.
Facebook posts
In a post on the Facebook page for Griplas on Sept. 6, a flyer for the Silver Lake campsite is on fire and has the words “kill da Cliff” and the caption says, “Shame on you Mark!”
Another video posted on Sept. 10 with the caption “Throwback Thursday: We take a look back at Mayor Mark Sutcliffe’s accomplishments over the last 4 years” shows the Silver Lake campsite flyer with “Mayor Must Die” written on it as it’s set on fire.
A video posted on the Facebook page for Griplas on Sept. 12 shows a room with bedsheets and walls covered in a red substance and the words “Must Kill Ford.”
Griplas appeared in court on Thursday and is scheduled to return to court on Monday.
A Geoff Nicholas registered to run for mayor on Aug. 21, the final day candidates could register to run for office in the Oct. 26 municipal election.
The address on the municipal nomination form for Geoff Nicholas matches the address on the court documents for Geoffrey Nicholas Griplas.
Griplas posted a photo on his Facebook page on Aug. 22 saying, “Nicholas for Mayor.” The caption said, “It’s looking more and more likely we will have a new Mayor in 2027. Lawson is the new favourite in my opinion. But I’m playing to win.”
Geoff Nicholas was not one of the 10 candidates for Ottawa mayor that took part in the Rogers TV mayoral debate that was filmed on Tuesday.
Enhanced police response for Sutcliffe
The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) would not discuss specific security measures or security arrangements for Sutcliffe but says it takes “threats directed toward public officials seriously.”
“In response to threats against Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, OPS assessed the information available and took appropriate steps to enhance our policing response,” police said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
“We continually assess information and circumstances and adjust our response as required based on the information available and the level of risk. The Ottawa Police Service does not discuss specific security measures, deployments or security arrangements associated with particular events or individuals. Sharing those details could compromise operational security and, in itself, increase the risk to public safety.”
Sutcliffe’s campaign and the mayor’s office declined to comment on the charges.
The premier’s office said it wouldn’t comment while the matter is before the courts.
