Man arrested for threat on life of Mayor Ford

6/11/2004

A man who allegedly wrote President Bush and the FBI in Washington and threatened to shoot Mayor Jack Ford was arrested by Toledo police last night at his home.

David Pasztor, 46, of 1717 Berkshire Pl. was being held in Lucas County jail on a charge of intimidation, a third-degree felony, pending arraignment today in Toledo Municipal Court.

The FBI and the Secret Service told Toledo police yesterday about the letters, both of which refer to the mayor, police Chief Mike Navarre said.

The letter to the FBI made "reference to shooting the mayor with a high-powered weapon," which was described in great detail, the chief said. But a motive was murky: "There were a lot of statements made in these letters that did not make a whole lot of sense," the chief added.

Chief Navarre declined to discuss any changes in the way police protect Mayor Ford. "The police department, as we always do, provides for security for our top elected officials," he said.