In 1990, Brown endorsed a controversial plan to sell part of Fairbank Park to a company run by Toronto-area developer Lou Charles. The details of the sale provoked charges of political corruption, setting in motion a series of events that eventually led to the arrest and conviction of Charles and some of his political allies. Metro police investigated Brown's role in the sale but did not lay charges. In July 1991, Brown reversed his earlier position and helped council defeat the proposed sale.Royson James, "York buries plan to sell parkland by 7-1 vote", "Toronto Star", 11 July 1991, A6.</ref> Several media reports from this period depicted him as unable to maintain order over an increasingly dysfunctional council."In York, depose most incumbents", "Toronto Star", 8 November 1991, A24.</ref>