Doug Ford says he`ll fight a $16.5-million lawsuit launched by his brother Robâs widow that alleges he is a ânegligentâ manager of their family business, and has left its finances in tatters as he pursues the premiership.âWith two or three days before an election, Iâll let you decide the motive,â the Progressive Conservative leader said at a televised news conference Tuesday morning.âWhen the lawyers say, âPay up or weâre releasing it,â ... thatâs just wrong, to put a gun to someoneâs head.âTaking questions for the first time since the existence of the lawsuit was revealed Monday, Ford said he was âshockedâ and âflooredâ by the allegations.In the lawsuit, which was filed Friday, Renata Ford and her two children allege Doug has deprived them of millions of dollars, including shares in Deco Labels and a life insurance policy, while taking an âextravagantâ salary as the company has lost $5 million in the last seven years.None of the allegations have been proven in court.Related story: Rob Fordâs widow sues Doug Ford, alleging he has deprived her and her children of millionsâThose statements are false. Theyâre without merit. Thatâll be proven in court,â Ford insisted before heading out to visit PC campaign offices throughout 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 âwe`ll always be thereâ for his niece and nephew, and said âI have protected Renata in the toughest times ... Iâve bent over backwards, broken down brick walls to take care of Renata.âOn 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. âHeâs expecting people t ...
|