Who Is Benjamin Levin? Ontario premier’s former adviser opts for speedy trial on child sex charges

Former Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Benjamin Levin (L), who was arrested
in 2013 for making child pornography, attends Toronto Pride in 2013 with Liberal
leader Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne,
and former Liberal leader Bob Rae.

Benjamin Levin was the very model of a modern senior bureaucrat, a deputy minister, unpaid advisor to Ontario’s Premier Kathleen Wynne during her “transition” period, winner of awards, author of books -- until all that came crashing down when Toronto police raided his Toronto home last summer, seized his computer and charged him with making and distributing child pornography, counseling to commit an indictable offence, and arranging to commit a sexual offence against a child under 16.

On parole since then, the Manitoba-born educationalist was supposed to begin his preliminary hearing this week but his celebrity lawyer Clayton Ruby surprised the court and the Crown by waiving the hearing (by which a judge hears only the Crown’s evidence to see if it justifies proceeding to trial) and requesting an immediate trial. The court reconvenes today to set a trial date.

At the hearing this week, he pled not guilty to the charges.  (more...)

Who Is Benjamin Levin? Ontario premier’s former adviser opts for speedy trial on child sex charges