A Toronto elementary school teacher who makes over $100,000 a year was placed on home assignment following a series of arrests by the Toronto Police Service’s Hate Crimes Unit in relation to an alleged anti-semitic property attack targeting Chapters Indigo book store chain owner Heather Reisman.
Toronto District School Board (TDSB) executive officer of government, public and community relations Ryan Bird told True North that elementary school teacher Ian Doty was away from his classroom duties pending an investigation.
“Ian Doty is currently on home assignment pending the outcome of an investigation,” said Bird in a statement.
Doty was listed on the public sector worker’s Sunshine List which publicly discloses all government employees who earn over $100,000 a year.
Yesterday Toronto police announced the arrest of eleven individuals allegedly involved in an antisemitic attack on the prominent Indigo bookstore located at the intersection of Bay Street and Bloor Street West.
The suspects, a diverse group that includes a public school teacher and faculty members from York University, are now facing charges related to the disturbing incident that occurred on Nov. 10.
The assailants targeted not only the Indigo bookstore but also its Jewish founder, Heather Reisman. Their actions included gluing antisemitic posters to the doors and windows of the establishment and pouring red paint on the windows and sidewalk, accusing Reisman of “funding genocide.”
The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) labeled the incident a “vile antisemitic attack” at the time.
Among those arrested are individuals from academia, a legal consultant and a former primary school teacher in the Toronto area.
Nisha Toomey, a 41-year-old Toronto resident and post-doctoral York University researcher specializing in migration and critical studies, faces charges of Mischief Over $5,000. Toomey is scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice on January 8.
Sharmeen Khan, 45, a financial coordinator at CUPE 3903, faces charges of Mischief Over $5,000 and Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence. Khan is scheduled to appear in court on January 18.
Lesley Wood, 56, an associate professor at York University, has been charged with Mischief Over $5,000 and Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence, with a court appearance set for January 19.
Macdonald Scott, 56, listed as an immigration consultant with Carranza LLP, faces charges of Mischief Over $5,000 and Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence. His court appearance is scheduled for January 19, 2024.
Suzanne Narain, 38, a former primary teacher at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), faces charges of Mischief Over $5,000 and Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence. Her court appearance is set for Jan. 15.
