Toronto Councillor Ana Bailao calls drunk-driving bust 'regrettable'

Councillor Ana Bailao calls her early morning impaired driving bust “regrettable.”

Toronto Police arrested Bailao at 1:43 a.m. Tuesday on Bathurst St. near Harbord St. — a few hours after she attended Mayor Rob Ford’s Mayor’s Ball for the Arts at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Bailao, 36, is charged with impaired driving and having more than 80 mgs of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. She is due to appear in an Old City Hall courtroom on Dec. 3.

Police at 14 Division confirmed Bailao was driving with her car headlights off, catching the attention of an officer. Initially, Bailao didn’t stop but after a “short distance” she did pull over for police. She was then taken to Toronto Police Traffic Services on Hanna Ave. for a breathalyzer test before being released.

The Ward 18, Davenport councillor was at City Hall Tuesday morning for a committee meeting but disappeared as news of her charges surfaced. Bailao’s staff said she wouldn’t speak with the media waiting outside her office and wouldn’t be at a community meeting in her ward Tuesday night.

Bailao issued a written statement Tuesday afternoon.

“This situation is regrettable. I have been advised by my legal counsel that because this matter is before the courts that I have no further comment,” she said.