Police re-investigate abuse claims in Mississauga

Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion indicated Wednesday the city won't be taking any further action against employees who beat and abused fellow workers but police are not finished with their investigation.

On Wednesday, after seeing a video recording of the abuse, police in the community just west of Toronto, said they are re-investigating to see if criminal charges are warranted.

On Tuesday, CBC News reported allegations from Alex Juani, and other city workers,who claim someemployees of Mississauga'stransportation and works department had beaten and abused other workers for years. They say the acts were sanctioned and encouraged by supervisor Domenic Galamini, who remains on the job.

Police visited Juani, who is currently off work on stress leave,on Wednesday.

McCallion said the city has dealt with the problem.

"We took the necessary action very professional action. We do not tolerate that type of operation," said McCallion.

But when asked why the workers involved were still employed, McCallion said the city had no option "because the independent report clearly demonstrated it did not warrant termination."

The mayor was referring to a report prepared by an independent investigator.

The heavily censored report says that all witnesses who were interviewed say "practical jokes" and "hazing"took place in the sign shop but what took place was "appreciated, good-natured and voluntary."

McCallion said the city took "disciplinary action" and told those involved "that [if] there are any [further] incidents anywhere near what happened ... they would be immediately terminated."

A cellphone recording made by a city employees and obtained by CBC News, shows two men lying face to face on a table with their hands, torsos and legs duct taped.

There were also allegations that a temporary worker was forced to have his head shaved.Some workers said they witnessed spankings sometimes on birthdays, sometimes as punishment. The spankings, they say, were often so severe they left bruises or marks.

The workers claim Galamini instigated many of the incidents and allowed them to happen up to two to three times per week.

Juani says he complained to management and McCallion confirmed a complaint was received seven months ago.

"It ... was brought to the attention of the director of human resources in November 2009," she said.

McCallion said "as a result of seeing the video" Mississauga officials engaged the independent investigator, informed the Ontario Ministry of Labour and told police.

The independent investigation ended several months ago.It concluded Galamini allowed inappropriate behaviour but could not substantiate allegations that he intimidated and bullied his staff.

"The investigation revealed that there certainly was employee conduct that was inappropriate. However, the investigator felt that it was more in the nature of horseplay," said city manager Janice Tripp.

The labour ministry decided not to take any action.

"It was referred to Peel Regional Police and the Peel Regional Police decided that they should not take any action on it," McCallion said.