Member of Wynne’s transition team faces new child porn charges

A University of Toronto professor who was a member of Premier Kathleen Wynne’s transition team faces two new child porn charges.

Benjamin Levin, 61, was charged with possessing and accessing child porn during a bail hearing on Wednesday.

On Monday, he was charged with making child porn, counselling to commit an indictable offence, arrangement of a sexual offence against a child under 16 and two counts of distributing child pornography.

The Crown had asked that Levin be detained, saying he was a flight risk and that there would be a public outcry concerning the safety of the community if he is released.

However, an Ontario judge ruled in Levin’s favour, granting him release on $100,000 bail on conditions including he not possess a passport, return to live with his wife – provided she agrees to it, limited internet access and no contact with children.

Levin’s lawyer, Clayton Ruby, said his client plans to “vigorously” fight the allegations against him.

Ruby called Levin’s brother Martin to the stand on Wednesday. Other relatives appeared in court to support him.

Police said Wednesday they believe there may be more victims.

Benjamin Levin is a professor at University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). U of T released a statement Monday saying it was aware of the charges and would help police in their investigation, but declined further comment.

Levin was also deputy education minister under former premier Dalton McGuinty from late 2004 to early 2007.

He also served as Manitoba’s deputy minister of advanced education and deputy minister of education, training and youth between 1999 and 2002.

Toronto police say their online child exploitation investigation was assisted by police in London, Ont., and the Department of Internal Affairs in New Zealand.

According to Levin’s resume, he had given numerous presentations and seminars in New Zealand.

With files from Marianne Boucher, Showwei Chu and The Canadian Press

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