2009-10: Rob Ford uses city staff on multiple occasions over more than a year to send out donation requests to official city lobbyists using official city letterhead. Despite complaints from residents, and despite having been formally instructed twice by the city integrity commissioner to not use city resources/letterhead, Ford ignores the warnings and continues to solicit donations on City letterhead, prepared by his city staff.
After yet another resident complaint the city’s integrity commissioner, Janet Leiper (after having provided Ford TWO prior written warnings), finds that Ford’s actions violate city council’s code of conduct rules regarding the use of city staff and city resources.
August 2010: City council accepts the integrity commissioner’s findings and orders that Councillor Ford pay back $3,150 donated to his football foundation by official lobbyists. Ford participates in the discussion and voted in his favour despite being specifically publicly advised by the Speaker that he was in a potential conflict of interest.
October 2012: Ford elected as Mayor.
February 2012: 18 months later, Ford has still not paid back the $3,150. A motion is raised to excuse him from repaying the money. Despite Ford not having repaid the money as ordered by city council, councillors vote in favour of rescinding the previous motion and allow Ford to keep his money.
Ford votes in favour of the motion during February’s council session and does not declare a conflict of interest.
March 2012: Clayton Ruby, on behalf of Toronto resident Paul Magdar, files a conflict of interest lawsuit against Ford claiming he contravened the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act during the February city council session during which he voted in favour of a motion that benefitted him financially.
My view is the Ford has no-one to blame but himself. Speaking frankly, I don't think he is very bright.