Rob Ford wins appeal
Posted January 25, 2013 7:38 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO (NEWS1130) – Rob Ford has won his court battle to keep his job as mayor of Toronto.
A Divisional Court panel today struck down a previous ruling that Ford should be dismissed from office for violating conflict of interest rules.
Shortly after the ruling was released, Ford returned to the mayor’s office and was greeted by cheering staff members. He didn’t say anything on his way in, but had a huge smile on his face.
In an address to the media, Ford said the legal battle a “very humbling experience.” He also thanked his legal team and his family for their support.
Ford said moving forward, “we will continue to do the work we were elected to do.”
The three-judge panel agreed with Ford’s lawyers, who had argued the previous ruling was legally flawed.
In November, an Ontario Superior justice ordered Ford removed as mayor for taking part in a council vote that he repay $3,150 raised for his private football foundation.
The ruling was put on hold pending today’s decision.
Despite the legal win, Ford’s woes are not done; an audit of his campaign expenses is pending.
“We also need to know what happened with the campaign finances,” says Councillor Adam Vaughan. “There are allegations out there that he cheated during the last election.”
“If that’s true, then [Ford] may not be able to run with or without a good judgement on Friday.”
If Ford is found to have violated the Municipal Elections Act he could face further charges, which could lead to a fine or removal from office.
