Rob Ford Slammed For ‘Improper Use Of Influence’
Posted August 20, 2010 8:24 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto’s integrity commissioner had harsh words for mayoral candidate Rob Ford, who used his position as a councillor to solicit funds for his charity, the Toronto Star reported.
Janet Leiper released her report in city council on Friday, revealing Ford had used the City of Toronto logo, his status as an Etobicoke councillor and municipal recources to seek donations for the Rob Ford Football Foundation.
The investigation began in May, after a Toronto resident complained about getting a letter from Ford asking for donations to his private foundation. The request was on Ford’s council letterhead with a “Ward 2, Etobicoke North” watermark and the City of Toronto logo was printed on both the letter and the envelope. Finally, the city logo and “Rob Ford Etobicoke North Councillor” were stamped on an embossed gold seal on the back.
Leiper ordered Ford to repay a lobbyist and corporate donors, saying he had broken the rules concerning gifts and benefits, use of city property, services and other resources, and improper use of influence.
She said Ford continued his practices despite being warned twice before, in December and February, after other citizen complaints.
The news comes a day after the mayoral candidate held a press conference in front of his family’s business, Deco Labels, to explain a story published in the Toronto Sun in which he admitted he had been charged for possession of marijuana in Florida in 1999.
That charge was dropped but Ford admitted he did plead guilty to a charge of failing to provide a breath test after he was pulled over by police for driving without his lights on.
