By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 21:56 EST, 2 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 22:00 EST, 2 October 2013 . Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has another scandal on his hands after Toronto police arrested his occasional driver and security guard. Alexander Lisi, 35, was arrested on Tuesday evening during a raid on an Etobicoke dry-cleaning store. Mayor Rob Ford says he’s 'very surprised' that the man who works for him occasionally is now facing multiple drug charges. Liability? Barely a week goes by without the Mayor of Toronto Rob Ford being involved in some scandal or other . On bail: Alexander Lisi, friend and occasional driver of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, leaves Old City Hall court in Toronto after being granted bail on drug charges . In a statement, Toronto police said . they made the arrests when executing a search warrant in connection with . an ongoing criminal investigation. Lisi is described in reports as a member of Ford’s entourage, but does not serve an official role in the mayor's office. He has been charged with trafficking and possession marijuana and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. Yesterday, . Mayor Ford held a brief news conference at a gas station near his home . telling reporters that he considers Lisi 'a friend.' Out on bail: Alexander Lisi, has been charged with trafficking and possession of marijuana, according to Toronto police . In the past, Ford has said that Lisi is 'straight as an arrow.' 'He’s . a friend, he’s a good guy and I don’t throw my friends under the bus,' Mr Ford said. 'I’ve never once seen the guy drink, never once seen him . do drugs.' Ford said he was 'very surprised' by the charges, but said he could not say much else because the matter 'is before the courts.' Lisi was released on $5,000 bail along with Jamshid Bahrami, who is reportedly the owner of the dry cleaners. Bahrami is charged with three offenses, including possession of cocaine. Both men are scheduled to appear in court on November 12th. Scandal: A still image allegedly taken from the video given to the Globe and Mail and Gawker.com purportedly shows Ford with two men, one of whom is believed to have been murdered over the video . Lisi’s . name first came to public attention in August, when it was reported . that he and other associates of Rob Ford were under investigation for . their alleged efforts to retrieve a well-known but little-seen cellphone . video that reportedly appears to show Ford smoking crack. Ford . was consumed by a sea of media speculation in May of this year after . rumors of the video surfaced, but he adamantly claimed that it didn't . exist. A still image - allegedly taken from the video - purportedly shows Ford with three men. Pout: Vacated by his communications staffers and facing drug allegations, Ford has clearly seen better days . Some critics called on Ford to step down, but he has vowed to seek re-election next year. The mayor has been embroiled in almost weekly controversies about his behavior since being elected in 2010. The . Toronto Star reported earlier this year that the mayor was asked to . leave a gala fundraiser for wounded Canadian soldiers because he . appeared intoxicated. During . his campaign for mayor, Rob Ford vehemently denied a 1999 arrest for . marijuana possession in Florida, but later acknowledged it was true . after he was presented with evidence. He pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and failing to give a breath sample to police. While . in office, he has been accused of flouting conflict of interest rules . and making obscene gestures at residents from his car.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's friend Alexander Lisi has been arrested .
Mayor Ford says it came as a 'surprise'
Brings back memories of alleged video of embattled mayor using crack cocaine .
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 21:56 EST, 2 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 22:00 EST, 2 October 2013 . Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has another scandal on his hands after Toronto police arrested his occasional driver and security guard. Alexander Lisi, 35, was arrested on Tuesday evening during a raid on an Etobicoke dry-cleaning store. Mayor Rob Ford says he’s 'very surprised' that the man who works for him occasionally is now facing multiple drug charges. Liability? Barely a week goes by without the Mayor of Toronto Rob Ford being involved in some scandal or other . On bail: Alexander Lisi, friend and occasional driver of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, leaves Old City Hall court in Toronto after being granted bail on drug charges . In a statement, Toronto police said . they made the arrests when executing a search warrant in connection with . an ongoing criminal investigation. Lisi is described in reports as a member of Ford’s entourage, but does not serve an official role in the mayor's office. He has been charged with trafficking and possession marijuana and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. Yesterday, . Mayor Ford held a brief news conference at a gas station near his home . telling reporters that he considers Lisi 'a friend.' Out on bail: Alexander Lisi, has been charged with trafficking and possession of marijuana, according to Toronto police . In the past, Ford has said that Lisi is 'straight as an arrow.' 'He’s . a friend, he’s a good guy and I don’t throw my friends under the bus,' Mr Ford said. 'I’ve never once seen the guy drink, never once seen him . do drugs.' Ford said he was 'very surprised' by the charges, but said he could not say much else because the matter 'is before the courts.' Lisi was released on $5,000 bail along with Jamshid Bahrami, who is reportedly the owner of the dry cleaners. Bahrami is charged with three offenses, including possession of cocaine. Both men are scheduled to appear in court on November 12th. Scandal: A still image allegedly taken from the video given to the Globe and Mail and Gawker.com purportedly shows Ford with two men, one of whom is believed to have been murdered over the video . Lisi’s . name first came to public attention in August, when it was reported . that he and other associates of Rob Ford were under investigation for . their alleged efforts to retrieve a well-known but little-seen cellphone . video that reportedly appears to show Ford smoking crack. Ford . was consumed by a sea of media speculation in May of this year after . rumors of the video surfaced, but he adamantly claimed that it didn't . exist. A still image - allegedly taken from the video - purportedly shows Ford with three men. Pout: Vacated by his communications staffers and facing drug allegations, Ford has clearly seen better days . Some critics called on Ford to step down, but he has vowed to seek re-election next year. The mayor has been embroiled in almost weekly controversies about his behavior since being elected in 2010. The . Toronto Star reported earlier this year that the mayor was asked to . leave a gala fundraiser for wounded Canadian soldiers because he . appeared intoxicated. During . his campaign for mayor, Rob Ford vehemently denied a 1999 arrest for . marijuana possession in Florida, but later acknowledged it was true . after he was presented with evidence. He pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and failing to give a breath sample to police. While . in office, he has been accused of flouting conflict of interest rules . and making obscene gestures at residents from his car.
dry-cleaning store. Mayor Rob Ford says he’s friend and occasional driver of Toronto Mayor Rob investigation. Lisi is described in reports as a friend.' Out on bail: Alexander Lisi, has been