Mayor Rob Ford still asking lobbyists to donate to his football foundation
Recent fundraising letters revive a practice said to violate the city’s code of conduct — and which led to the recent court case.
Mayor Rob Ford is still asking registered lobbyists to donate to his football foundation — a practice that violates the city’s code of conduct and led to the court case that nearly forced him out of office.
Two lobbyists showed the Star fundraising letters Ford sent them within the past two months on behalf of the foundation. Ford hand-signed both letters.
Andy Manahan, executive director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario, said he received a letter on Jan. 28 — only three days after Ford won his appeal in the conflict of interest saga that began with his decision to solicit donations from lobbyists in 2009.
Manahan first registered as a lobbyist in 2008. He said he is currently lobbying on an entirely uncontroversial issue, improving the procurement process, and that he finds this Ford “indiscretion†less serious than others he believes Ford has committed.
But he added: “You never know what a mayor’s office could do to put a monkey wrench into your dealings with the city.â€
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to take those sort of lists and send out letters to people who have dealings with the city,†Manahan said. “Again, there could be repercussions. There’s potential.â€
Ford left Wednesday morning for a vacation in Florida, and his spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
Councillor Doug Ford said he personally does not think it matters whether the recipient of a letter is a registered lobbyist or not, since many well-meaning companies are registered lobbyists. His brother sends “mass mailers,†he said, and does not target lobbyists specifically.
The Star called 19 other registered lobbyists. Eight said they had not received a recent letter from Ford, 11 did not respond.
The Rob Ford Football Foundation helps high schools start football teams by paying for the expensive equipment. In Rob Ford’s letters, which began “Dear Friends,†he listed 13 schools he has assisted, then said, “Your support to the Rob Ford Football Foundation will help the youth of Toronto participate in extra-curricular activities that promote discipline and leadership.â€
After he explained how to donate, he concluded, “I greatly appreciate your consideration with respect to this worthy cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your generous support. Yours truly, Rob Ford.â€
Ford said in court in September that he exchanges business cards with almost everyone he meets and later sends fundraising letters to people whose cards he has received. Manahan said he has not met with Ford but has met with a member of his staff.
The second registered lobbyist asked not to be named for fear of alienating the Ford administration. He said, “I think it’s kind of suspicious. The only interactions I’ve had with him were on city business or as a lobbyist registrant.â€
He added: “It goes back to: are you allowed to use names and contact information from business dealings to raise funds? Is that permitted? It sure seems strange.â€
The city’s integrity commissioner, Janet Leiper, ruled in 2010 that taking donations from lobbyists violates provisions in council’s code of conduct prohibiting the “improper use of influence†and the acceptance of gifts and benefits “connected directly or indirectly†with the performance of council duties.
“(Then-)Councillor Ford made the decision as to who he would ask for donations, and these donations benefited both the schools who received grants, but also Councillor Ford,†Leiper wrote. “Just as it is improper for lobbyists to offer or provide gifts, benefits or favours, it is equally as improper for public office holders to ask for or suggest ways for lobbyists to provide gifts, benefits or favours.â€
Leiper also said Ford violated the code by sending fundraising letters under his official city letterhead. He no longer does so.
On Leiper’s recommendation, council ordered Ford to repay $3,150 to 11 lobbyists and clients of lobbyists, and one company, that had made donations. Ford voted in 2012 to excuse himself from repayment, prompting a conflict of interest lawsuit.
A judge evicted Ford from office in November, but Ford kept his job when an appeal court ruled that council did not have the authority to order him to pay back the money in the first place. None of the judges questioned Leiper’s finding that soliciting donations from lobbyists violates the code of conduct.
Ford also sent a fundraising letter in the past two months to a non-lobbyist who does business with the city and whose fortunes he could directly influence: Brian Ashton, president of the Canadian National Exhibition Association, which stages the annual fair.
Ashton received a letter from Ford on Jan. 10 — three days after Ford’s lawyer argued his appeal in court but before the judges released their decision.
As mayor, Ford is automatically a member of the association board; if Ashton seeks re-election, Ford could vote for or against him. Under its new governance model, the association will pay rent of more than $3 million to the city in 2013.
“It’s awkward because if you’re doing business with the city in any fashion, do you feel a sense of obligation?†said Ashton, a former centrist councillor who retired from politics in 2010. “If you don’t (donate), will that influence his impression or support of your organization?â€
Ashton is currently urging council members not to put a casino at Exhibition Place. He said the fundraising letters are “unnerving†because “the Fords are very powerful in Toronto.â€
“I just hope that (Rob Ford) separates the two and doesn’t allow fundraising efforts to influence decisions with respect to the casino or any other CNE business,†Ashton said.
Ford told Leiper in 2010 that he did not check to see whether the people to whom he was planning to send letters were lobbyists or appointees to city boards.
Anyone can determine whether someone is a registered lobbyist by typing a name into the publicly accessible lobbyist registry. But Doug Ford said Wednesday that he does not think his brother does so, even today.
“No. I don’t believe it makes a difference who it is. Because there are so many companies that are registered in the City of Toronto; if you look, there’s probably a couple thousand of them,†Doug Ford said.
“It depends on what you call a lobbyist or not. Rob can’t stand lobbyists; he’s the guy who fights against lobbyists. But it depends on who you call a lobbyist. Do you call ‘ABC Company,’ that wants to open up, and they’re registered, and they need to talk to councillors — are they lobbyists? I guess they are.â€
Doug Ford said the Star should “find something more interesting†to write about.
“You guys are killing yourselves — you can write whatever you want; the more you write, the moreis (poll) numbers go up,†he said. “It’s fact.â€
