TORONTO — Doug Ford says he is shocked by a lawsuit from his late brother Rob Ford's widow that was filed just days before the Ontario election, the latest in a string of controversies to plague the Tory leader.
Doug Ford denies the allegations that he mishandled the estate of the former scandal-plagued mayor of Toronto and destroyed the value of the family business, emphatically stating he never abandoned Renata Ford or her two children.
"This is tragic for Stephanie and Dougie and our family has always stood behind the kids, always stood behind Renata," Ford told reporters on Tuesday.
"We never wavered and we're just, we're shocked. That's what it comes down to. We're floored and with two days or three days before an election? I'll let you decide the motive, but we're shocked."
Ford added that his sister-in-law's lawyers had told him to "pay up" or they would go public with the allegations.
"That's just wrong, to put a gun to someone's head to say pay up," he said.
Renata Ford's lawyers, Don Jack and Martin Henderson of the law firm Aird and Berlis, said neither they nor their client would be commenting on the case.
"Martin and I will be saying what we have to say in court, and we shall be dealing with Mr. Ford there," Jack said in an email.
Renata Ford's statement of claim alleges that after the death of her father-in-law, the responsibility for the management and direction of the family business, Deco Companies, was assumed by Doug Ford and his brother, Randy Ford. The suit alleges the brothers have since destroyed the value of the companies.
It further alleges the siblings arranged for and received very significant compensation from Deco, including extravagant salaries, bonuses, travel and car allowances and other benefits, which were paid regardless of the financial performance of those businesses.
The statement of claim alleges that Doug Ford knowingly and deliberately put Renata Ford and her children in a "highly stressful and unfair financial position" after her husband's death in 2016. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $15 million from the defendants.
Ford declined to answer questions about releasing the financial statements for the family label business to counter the lawsuit's claims.
"We have an incredible company for 55 years," Ford said. "I'm proud of it and again those claims are false and without merit and it'll be very clear when we prove that in court. But again this isn't about Deco."
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the allegations about Ford's handling of Deco Companies raise questions about his lack of a fully-costed platform.
Horwath says if the accusations are true, then voters will be concerned that Ford doesn't have a platform that outlines how he will pay for his promises.
Ford has faced controversy at nearly every turn during the provincial election — from questions around the behaviour of certain candidates, to allegations he sold bogus party memberships. The Tory leader, however, has shrugged off attacks and stuck to his promise to put money back into people's pockets if elected.
