Peter Silverman

Infobox_Celebrity


image_size = 150px
name = Peter Silverman


caption =
birth_date = Birth date and age|1931|07|05Fact|date=February 2007
birth_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
occupation = TV journalist,
website = [http://www.citytv.com/toronto/personalities_PeterSilverman.aspx CityTV: Anchors & Personalities: Peter Silverman]

Peter Silverman (born 5 July 1931Fact|date=January 2008) is a Canadian television journalist based in Toronto, Ontario. His journalism career began in 1974 as a reporter for Global Television Network's first years. In 1981, he moved to Citytv where he became a reporter for that station's "CityPulse" news program (now known as "CityNews") and where he is still an active reporter. He was host of "Silverman Helps", an ombudsman-type feature for consumers that began in 1989, and ended on 4 June 2008 when he was dismissed without cause by Citytv's owner, Rogers Media. [cite news | title=The television legend who fought 20 years for the little guy now suddenly needs a little help of his own | date=12 June 2008 | accessdate=2008-06-15 | publisher="Toronto Sun" | first=Joe | last=Warmington | url=http://www.torontosun.com/News/Canada/2008/06/12/5849451-sun.html] On September 2008, Silverman joined Toronto radio station Newstalk 1010 to host a Saturday morning radio show called "The Peter Silverman Show".

Reports on King West Opticians

Silverman hosted several reports on Citytv regarding Toronto optician Adam Plimmer, who was accused of selling counterfeit glasses (mainly Gucci and Oakley) and giving out eye exams despite being unqualified to do so by the College of Opticians. Opticians in Ontario are prohibited from conducting eye exams. [http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_4479.aspx] This began on October 3, 2006. [http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_7637.aspx]

A customer purchased prescription sunglasses from Plimmer and his sunglasses were broken for no reason. In CityNews' "Silverman Helps," consumers consulted Peter Silverman to have him confirm that their glasses are counterfeit. Silverman went to Oakley and it was confirmed that Adam Plimmer's glasses were counterfeit. He went to see Plimmer and Plimmer said that Oakley is a liar. Plimmer said he doesn't refund anyone. The customer got his money credited back to his credit card. [http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_4085.aspx]

Another consumer complained about getting counterfeit Gucci glasses. Silverman went to the Gucci distribution center in Quebec and confirmed that they were counterfeit. He went to see Adam Plimmer and he said that the glasses are authentic. Silverman told him that the glasses were counterfeit according to Gucci. Plimmer continued to deny making counterfeit Gucci glasses. He later threatened lawsuits against CityNews, Oakley, and Gucci. [http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_7033.aspx]

Two women encountered Plimmer, and he threatened the two women. One woman was ready to pick up her glasses from Plimmer. He refused to give her the glasses and yelled at her to get out of his store, and also making death threats. Another woman paid nearly CAN$700 for a pair of glasses, which included an eye exam. When Plimmer couldn't get the prescription correctly, she wanted to cancel the deal. Plimmer rejected her request and wanted her to leave his store or he will phone the police.After the women consulted Silverman, he encountered Plimmer and Plimmer refused to say anything about the women, telling Silverman that the media is full of lies, using vulgar language and to deal with Plimmer's attorney. [http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_7675.aspx]

After Citytv broadcast several reports on this matter, Plimmer phoned Silverman, saying "Mr. Silverman, I have became a new man. I have witnessed the power of God, and I want to tell you Mr. Silverman that I do love you and if you want to come back here again, you can talk to me." On February 7 2007, Silverman followed up on this offer by visiting Plimmer's store at which point the reporter was attacked after Plimmer feigned an apology of him opening the door hitting Silverman. Video footage showed Plimmer slapping and hitting Silverman, uttering vulgar language in the process. Plimmer was also shown throwing snowballs at Silverman, his cameraman, and a Toronto Transit Commission employee. After the Toronto Police Service arrived at the shop, Plimmer was still defiant and told the police to get away from his shop. He locked the door on the police and barricaded himself. The Toronto Police Service called in the Emergency Task Force to arrest him.Plimmer was charged with assault and assault with a weapon.

As a bail condition, Plimmer was subjected to a restraining order which prohibits him from meeting Citytv staff, including Silverman.

A day after the incident, Plimmer was seen changing his business sign to "Adam Paul & Associates Opticians" to avoid confusion with a next door business, King West Eye Care, who was aiding Silverman.

Adam Plimmer has recently shut down his King West Opticians store. There is a hand-written note on the door that instructs parcels to be dropped off across the street and it also claims the store is "Under Renovations". [http://urbancountry.blogspot.com/2007/04/adam-plimmer-is-no-longer.html]

References

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External links

* [http://www.citynews.ca/shows/personalities_639.aspx CP24: Peter Silverman profile] , accessed 2007-02-11
* [http://www.petersilvermanhelps.com PeterSilvermanHelps.com]
* [http://www.cfrb.com/shows/782735 "The Peter Silverman Show" on CFRB]