PC leader Doug Ford vows to fight ‘false’ allegations levelled in lawsuit

Accused by brother’s widow of being ‘negligent’ manager

TORONTO — Doug Ford says he’ll fight a $16.5-million lawsuit launched by his brother Rob’s widow that alleges he is a “negligent” manager of their family business, and has left its finances in tatters as he pursues the premiership.

“With two or three days before an election, I’ll let you decide the motive,” the Progressive Conservative leader said at a televised news conference Tuesday morning.

“When the lawyers say, ‘Pay up or we’re releasing it,’ ... that’s just wrong, to put a gun to someone’s head.”

Taking questions for the first time since the existence of the lawsuit was revealed Monday, Ford said he was “shocked” and “floored” by the allegations.

In the lawsuit, which was filed in court on Friday, Renata Ford and her two children allege Doug Ford has deprived them of millions of dollars, including shares in Deco Labels and a life insurance policy, while taking an “extravagant” salary as the company has lost $5 million in the last seven years.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

“Those statements are false. They’re without merit. That’ll be proven in court,” Ford insisted before heading out to visit PC campaign offices in the GTA.

Asked if he would release audited financial statements from Deco and reveal his annual salary from the company, Ford twice changed the subject to repeat the claims are false.

He maintained that “we’ll always be there” for his niece and nephew, and said, “I have protected Renata in the toughest times.

... I’ve bent over backwards, broken down brick walls to take care of Renata.”

On the campaign trail, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said questions about the state of the Ford family company raise their own questions about Ford’s ability to govern.

“He’s expecting people to trust him,” Horwath told reporters in Brampton, noting that Ford’s platform does not say where he will get the money to pay for promises, such as a 10-cent-alitre tax break on gasoline.

“If his business dealings are unsuccessful, what would we expect then from a premier who refuses to be up-front and transparent and honest about the cuts he’s planning on making?” she added, referring to Ford’s proposal to axe $6 billion in government spending.

“People wonder whether this is the kind of leader, the kind of premier, that will look after you and your families.”

With files from Kristin Rushowy