The Video Of Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Smoking Crack Has Been Released

Yes, that video.

The video showing former Toronto mayor Rob Ford smoking crack — which launched years of scandal — has been made public for the first time.

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In the short clip, Ford is seen speaking in a slurred voice and inhaling from a glass pipe. It was purportedly recorded in February 2013.

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He and a voice off camera — identified as convicted drug dealer Elena Basso — talk about the high school football team Ford once coached and current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who at the time was leader of the Liberal Party.

Gawker was first to report on the video and the Toronto Star's version of the story reported that Ford called Trudeau a "fag" in the video, though it's hard to decipher Ford's words. (Visit the Star for a version with captions.)

At one point, Ford holds a pipe to his lips and holds a lighter to the end before exhaling. The video ends when Ford seems to notice the phone recording him.

Although the Star's story on the video set off a chain of scandal surrounding Ford, it has never been seen by the public until now.

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The police announced they obtained the video in October 2013 and it was entered into evidence for the extortion charges laid against Sandro Lisi, Ford's former friend and driver. The charges allegedly sprung from Lisi's attempts to retrieve the video.

On Thursday, the charges were dropped against Lisi, lifting the publication ban on the video.

When news of the video first broke, Ford said he would not comment on a video "that I have never seen or does not exist." He initially denied using crack cocaine, but later admitted he had probably used the drug in one of his "drunken stupors."

Gawker successfully crowdfunded $200,000 to purchase the video but were unable to close the deal.

Ford died in March, 18 months after being diagnosed liposarcoma cancer. He was 46 years old.

Mark Blinch / Reuters