Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem, the latest episode of Netflix docu-series, revisits the chaotic rise and spectacular fall of former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, whose wild antics made international headlines in the early 2010s. Warning: contains explicit content.
The new documentary wastes no time, airing Ford’s now-infamous explicit quote about former staffer Olivia Gondek in its first few minutes. It’s one of many jaw-dropping moments that cemented his legacy as one of politics’ most surreal candidates.
Ford’s time in office was marked by scandal after scandal, with Trainwreck capturing it all – the police investigations, the late-night appearances, and the headline-making leaked video of Ford smoking crack cocaine.
But while his story is front and center of the Netflix documentary, you might be left wondering what happened to the people caught in the crossfire – including Olivia Gondek, whose name became globally known for reasons she never asked for.
Where is Olivia Gondek now?
According to her LinkedIn profile, Olivia Gondek stepped down as Policy Advisor and Councillor Relations at Toronto’s Mayor’s Office in 2012, and has been working for the Canadian city’s electricity distributor, Toronto Hydro, ever since.
Gondek’s name was raised in relation to Ford in 2013, when police launched an investigation into his behavior following the emergence of the crack video. That same year, explosive court documents were released, detailing allegations of Ford’s erratic conduct.
The report refers to the “Olivia Gondek incident,” stating, “The incident back at the Mayor’s office with the physical altercation involved Olivia Gondek. She is a female staffer that works in the office. Olivia Gondek currently works for Toronto Hydro.
“The Mayor was very inebriated, verbally abusive and being inappropriate with her. She was managing to put the Mayor back in his place but he got very angry with Barnett and Provost, who are Liberal Party members.
“The Mayor pushed Provost down and raised his hand like he was going to punch him. The Mayor then charged Barnett and pushed him against the wall and pulled his hand back like he was going to strike him.
“The altercation at the Mayor’s office could have taken place before they went to the Bier Market. To Whey is not sure as to the sequence of events.” While speaking with the police, Whey said, “Mayor Ford was very inebriated, verbally abusive, and being inappropriate with Gondek.”
NetflixShe was called in to assist with the investigation, with the report stating, “Gondek was asked to provide a statement regarding her time spent working in the office of the Mayor. Gondek was extremely uncomfortable with the idea of coming in to speak with police regarding the Mayor.
“Gondek was apprehensive about coming in for an interview. She was initially worried because she currently works for Toronto Hydro and felt like she would be putting her job in jeopardy by speaking about the Mayor.
“After it was pointed out that the police also work for the City of Toronto she was much more at ease.” However, at the time, she indicated that she wanted to speak with a lawyer and her employer, and did not return for a follow up statement.
It seems Gondek tried to stay out of the spotlight after resigning in 2012, but Ford dragged her back in with that shocking on-air remark.
In November 2013, during a media scrum at Toronto City Hall, Ford told the press, “The last thing is Olivia Gondek, it says that I wanted to ‘eat her p*ssy’. I’ve never said that in my life to her. I would never do that. I’m happily married. I’ve got more than enough to eat at home.”
Katie Simpson, a live news reporter who was covering the conference that day, speaks in the Netflix documentary about the constant scandals that followed Ford throughout his political career.
“When things are constantly so shocking, you know how you sort of get numb to it? This broke any spell of numbness,” she says.
What happened to Rob Ford?
NetflixDespite calls to resign, Rob Ford clung to office until 2014, when health issues forced him to drop out of the mayoral race. Instead, he successfully ran for city councillor and vowed to run for mayor again in 2018.
However, that year he was diagnosed with pleomorphic liposarcoma – a rare and aggressive cancer. Ford continued treatment while in office but died on March 22, 2016, at the age of 46.
His political legacy remains deeply divisive, marked by scandal, populist appeal, and viral infamy. Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem captures that chaotic rise and fall, and is available to stream on Netflix now.
You can also watch Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy. For more true crime news, read about where James Reyes is now, the one complaint true crime fans have about JCS’ new video, and Sherri Papini’s lawyer Chase Kinney.
