Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is expected to take the stand in court today to defend himself in a $6-million defamation lawsuit filed by a local restauranteur.
George Foulidis is alleging Ford libelled him when the then councillor suggested in 2010 that the restaurant's leasing deal with the city came as a result of corruption.
Foulidis believes Ford defamed him by telling a Toronto newspaper the deal "stinks to high heaven."
Toronto city council extended a lease Foulidis had for his Boardwalk Cafe restaurant on public land in a sole-sourced, untendered contract in the summer of 2010 in the middle of Ford's campaign to become mayor.
Much of the case centres on comments Ford made in an editorial board meeting with the Toronto Sun and a story published in the Sun that stemmed from that meeting.
The paper paraphrased Ford as saying the case "smacks of civic corruption," words Ford's lawyer says his client never uttered.
An audio recording of the meeting with the Sun was at first thought to be lost before a former editor at the newspaper came forward with it this week. The audio recording, or a complete transcript of it, is expected to be entered into evidence Friday.
Mayor's testimony delayed for football
Foulidis's lawyers have argued Ford's comments were defamatory because they suggested the restaurant's lease was signed as a result of illegal activity.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford coached his high school football team to a 31-0 victory in a playoff game on Thursday. (CBC) Ford's lawyer argues the mayor's comments refer only to Foulidis's business, Tuggs Inc., and that companies can't be defamed. They also insist the defamation lawsuit is politically motivated.
Ford's testimony is expected to begin at 10 a.m. ET on Friday.
The mayor was scheduled to begin testimony on Thursday afternoon, but had told the court he was unavailable at that time.
Ford left after the morning break and coached his high-school football team in the Metro Bowl quarter-final starting at 2 p.m. ET. His team, the Don Bosco Eagles, ended up defeating the Northern Red Nights 31-0.
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Rob Ford to testify today in $6M libel case
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