TIMELINE: Ford’s conflict-of-interest case
Posted January 25, 2013 9:48 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Here is a look back at key dates in Mayor Rob Ford’s conflict-of-interest case.
March 31, 2008: Rob Ford Football Foundation is established. The charity is administered by the Toronto Community Foundation.
Aug. 31, 2009: Lobbyist donates $400 to Rob Ford Football Foundation, according to the city’s integrity commissioner.
Sept. 3, 2009: Lobbyist donates $400 to Ford’s football foundation.
Sept. 8, 2009: Lobbyist donates $50 to Ford’s foundation.
Sept. 9, 2009: Lobbyist donates $200 to Ford’s foundation.
Sept. 11, 2009: Lobbyist donates $400 to Ford’s foundation.
Sept. 14, 2009: A corporation, which was awarded multimillion-dollar contracts with the city between 2009 and 2011, donates $400 to Ford’s football foundation.
Sept. 21, 2009: Lobbyist donates $100 to Ford’s foundation.
Oct. 2, 2009: Lobbyist donates $500 to Ford’s foundation.
Nov. 24, 2009: Two lobbyist firms donate $450 to Ford’s foundation.
December 2009: Resident files an informal complaint after receiving a request on city letterhead for a donation to the Rob Ford Football Foundation. The letter included a news article, a Coun. Rob Ford fridge magnet, Ford’s business card and a promotional sticker for Ford’s family business, Deco Labels and Tags.
Dec. 10, 2009: Integrity commissioner informs Ford he is to keep his work as a councillor separate from his private fundraising initiatives.
Feb. 25, 2010: Integrity commissioner again reminds Ford not to use city letterhead to request donations for his charity after a councillor raises concerns.
March 2010: A trade association which hired four lobbyists donates $50 to Ford’s football foundation.
March 25, 2010: Rob Ford announces his candidacy in the Toronto mayoral race.
May 7, 2010: A firm connected to a registered lobbyist donates $250 to Ford’s foundation.
May 4, 2010: Resident files formal complaint after receiving letter from Coun. Ford’s office requesting donations to his football charity dated March 19, 2010. The letter was sent on city letterhead. The integrity commissioner then reviews the Lobbyist Register to determine if any donors were registered lobbyists.
Oct. 25, 2010: Rob Ford is elected mayor of Toronto.
Feb. 7, 2012: Ford speaks ahead of a vote on whether he should have to repay $3,150 in donations he received from lobbyists and a city-related corporation. He participates in the vote. Council votes 22-12 to drop the matter.
March 2012: Toronto resident Paul Magder files a civil lawsuit against Ford. Magder is represented by prominent lawyer Clayton Ruby.
Sept. 5/6, 2012: Ford testifies at his conflict-of-interest trial. He tells the court he doesn’t believe he violated conflict-of-interest rules under a tough cross-examination by Ruby.
Sept. 6, 2012: Ford’s trial concludes.
Nov. 26, 2012: Justice Charles Hackland rules Ford violated the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act and orders him out of office. Ford vows to appeal the ruling and says he’ll fight “tooth and nail” to keep his job.
Dec. 5, 2012: Justice Gladys Pardu grants a stay in the case, allowing Ford to remain in office until his appeal is heard.
Jan. 7, 2013: An Ontario Divisional Court panel of three judges hears Ford’s appeal.
Jan. 25, 2013: The panel rules Ford did not contravene the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act and allows his appeal. Ford can stay in office. Ruby says Ford was let off “on a technicality” and he hopes to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.
