Gawker’s “Crackstarter” campaign on Indiegogo reached its goal of $200,000 to buy a drug dealer’s video, which allegedly shows Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine.
Gawker’s editor-in-chief John Cook, as well as journalists from the Toronto Star have allegedly seen the video, according to CNET.
Gawker started the campaign on May 17, a day after Cook first published a story on the alleged footage of Ford.
Cook flew to Toronto to view the video, reportedly shown to him by people who claim to be involved in the Toronto drug trade, according to National Post.
Three hours after Cook’s story was published, two reporters from the Star published a story claiming they had also seen the video.
Though Gawker’s “Crackstarter” campaign reached its goal, Cook’s confidence in his ability to buy the video has reportedly diminished because he recently has not been able reach the dealer. He wrote on their Indiegogo page, “We have had no further contact with the people we believe to have custody of this video since the last update.”
For different amounts of donations, contributors to the campaign will receive different materials, such as an e-book of Ford's “most outrageous statements and lowest moments” for $5, or the actual iPhone with the video for $10,000, according to the Star.
In the event that Cook cannot obtain the video, the proceeds of “Crackstarter” will be donated to a Canadian nonprofit institution that helps people who suffer from drug addiction.
Image: Twitter