Former Wynne advisor, U of T prof Benjamin Levin facing child porn charges

[GameBoy27]

Police have charged a University of Toronto prof and a member of Premier Kathleen Wynne's transition with numerous child pornography offences.

Benjamin Levin, 61 - a professor at Ontario Institute for Studies in Education - was arrested Monday after an online, multi-jurisdictional, child exploitation investigation.

He is charged with two counts of child pornography distribution, and one count each of the making of child porn, counseling to commit an indictable offence and arrangement of a sexual offence against a child under 16.

"This is news to us, we're looking into it," said Blane McPhail, a media representative at Wynne's office.

The investigation is be ongoing. Levin is scheduled to appear in court this afternoon.

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/07/08/wynne-staffer-u-of-t-prof-benjamin-levin-facing-child-porn-charges

 

[oil&gas]

He holds the chair of Canada's research in education and leadership. He can
explain the pornographic material was for research purpose.

 

[GameBoy27]

He holds the chair of Canada's research in education and leadership. He can
explain the pornographic material was for research purpose.

The making of child porn and arrangement of a sexual offence against a child under 16 was for research purposes?

 

[oil&gas]

Not too long ago there was a post-graduate student coming on TERB seeking out SPs
for info related to some research project on the topic of something like safety measures
employed in the escort business. I guess child pornography too could pass as research
material in social sciences.

 

[GameBoy27]

Not too long ago there was a post-graduate student coming on TERB seeking out SPs
for info related to some research project on the topic of something like safety measures
employed in the escort business. I guess child pornography too could pass as research
material in social sciences.

You're joking, right?

 

[guelph]

Not too long ago there was a post-graduate student coming on TERB seeking out SPs
for info related to some research project on the topic of something like safety measures
employed in the escort business. I guess child pornography too could pass as research
material in social sciences.

If you laid charges for all people looking at porn -- you might look a police departments but they are doing it for research to protect us

 

[ducttape]

The making of child porn and arrangement of a sexual offence against a child under 16 was for research purposes?

Also known as "the Pete Townsend defence".

 

[GameBoy27]

Also known as "the Pete Townsend defence".

Unlike Levin, Townshend was never charged with child porn nor was he in possession of any illegal downloaded images.

 

[fmahovalich]

The Ontario Liberals have real problems.

I believe this is the seventh.....maybe more...loss for the party in a short time. Many Liberals jumping ship it seems.

The Premier - McGuinty
Education Minister - Broten
Finance Minister - Duncan
Energy Minister -Bentley
Northern development Minister - Bartolucci
Leaving in a snit - Margaret Best.
And now this idiot...Levin - Wynnes right hand man- gone in disgrace.

Simply awful.

 

[shakenbake]

The Ontario Liberals have real problems.

I believe this is the seventh.....maybe more...loss for the party in a short time. Many Liberals jumping ship it seems.

The Premier - McGuinty
Education Minister - Broten
Finance Minister - Duncan
Energy Minister -Bentley
Northern development Minister - Bartolucci
Leaving in a snit - Margaret Best.
And now this idiot...Levin - Wynnes right hand man- gone in disgrace.

Simply awful.

What do they say about a sinking ship and rats?

 

[ducttape]

Unlike Levin, Townshend was never charged with child porn nor was he in possession of any illegal downloaded images.

However, he did admit to using his credit card to access images of child pornography and was placed on the UK sex offender registry. His defence was he did so because he was researching a book. Hence my comment about the "Pete Townsend defence".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/may/08/arts.ukcrime

 

[terom]

What do they say about a sinking ship and rats?

Meanwhile in Ottawa, the Federal CON's are two years and a bit away from the next election, and the following have already announced that they're bailing:

Vic Toews - Minister of Public Safety - July 8, 2013.

Marjory LeBreton - Leader of Gov't in Senate retires as leader but remains as a Senator - July 4, 2013.

Diane Albonczy - Minister of State of Foreign Affairs - July 4,2013.

Ted Menzies - MP - July 2, 2013.

Should be a real long list by October 2015. :thumb:

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

But.....but.....shouldnt we wait until we see the video evidence before we convict the guy?!


Sin,
fuji
groggy
Jennifer
....and a bunch of others

 

[K Douglas]

Sick, just sick. Charged with making and distribution of.

 

[Moviefan-2]

The Ontario Liberals have real problems.

I believe this is the seventh.....maybe more...loss for the party in a short time. Many Liberals jumping ship it seems.

The Premier - McGuinty
Education Minister - Broten
Finance Minister - Duncan
Energy Minister -Bentley
Northern development Minister - Bartolucci
Leaving in a snit - Margaret Best.
And now this idiot...Levin - Wynnes right hand man- gone in disgrace.

Simply awful.

Levin was part of Wynne's transition team but he wasn't Wynne's right-hand man.

 

[Scarey]

I don't think they'd go public unless they had him.........

 

[shakenbake]

Meanwhile in Ottawa, the Federal CON's are two years and a bit away from the next election, and the following have already announced that they're bailing:

Vic Toews - Minister of Public Safety - July 8, 2013.

Marjory LeBreton - Leader of Gov't in Senate retires as leader but remains as a Senator - July 4, 2013.

Diane Albonczy - Minister of State of Foreign Affairs - July 4,2013.

Ted Menzies - MP - July 2, 2013.

Should be a real long list by October 2015. :thumb:

This sort of thing knows no political bounds.

 

[fmahovalich]

Meanwhile in Ottawa, the Federal CON's are two years and a bit away from the next election, and the following have already announced that they're bailing:

Vic Toews - Minister of Public Safety - July 8, 2013.

Marjory LeBreton - Leader of Gov't in Senate retires as leader but remains as a Senator - July 4, 2013.

Diane Albonczy - Minister of State of Foreign Affairs - July 4,2013.

Ted Menzies - MP - July 2, 2013.

Should be a real long list by October 2015. :thumb:

Dont forget Mac Harb...the Liberal Senator who like Duffy bilked taxpayers....Duffy for 90,000 Harb for over 200,000. I agree, lots of people dropping.

 

[GameBoy27]

However, he did admit to using his credit card to access images of child pornography and was placed on the UK sex offender registry. His defence was he did so because he was researching a book. Hence my comment about the "Pete Townsend defence".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/may/08/arts.ukcrime

Yes, I am well aware of that but had Townshend downloaded child porn images and made/distributed child porn and had sex with someone under the age of 16 as Levin has been charged with, the "I did it for research" defence would be laughable.

I remember reading an essay Townshend posted on his website in 2002 titled "A Different Bomb". He warned against the widespread ease of availability of child pornography on the internet. In a bid to prove British banks helped channel profits from pedophiles to illegal child pornography rings, he used his credit card once to enter a site. He says it was an insane thing to do to prove a point, but he certainly is and never was a pedophile.

 

[red]

But.....but.....shouldnt we wait until we see the video evidence before we convict the guy?!


Sin,
fuji
groggy
Jennifer
....and a bunch of others

I don't think they'd go public unless they had him.........

i hope so. but he should be given the benefit of the doubt until trial