Lawsuit from Rob Ford’s widow jolts Doug’s campaign

TORONTO — Echoes of the drama that once surrounded former Toronto mayor Rob Ford took centre stage on Ontario’s campaign trail Tuesday, as Doug Ford accused his late brother’s widow of trying to use the looming provincial election to resolve a family financial dispute.

The Progressive Conservative leader is facing a lawsuit from his sister-in-law that alleges he mishandled his brother’s estate and destroyed the value of the family business — claims he repeatedly denied, saying he never abandoned Renata Ford or her two children.

“Our family has always stood behind the kids, always stood behind Renata,” Doug Ford told reporters. “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.”

Ford said his sister-in-law’s lawyers 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 comment on the case.

The feud brought back memories of the scandals that unfolded when Ford’s brother was the mayor. When he was in office, Rob Ford admitted using crack cocaine, made lewd comments — some involving his wife— and was a political spectacle.

Doug Ford, a former Toronto city councillor who was elected Tory leader two months before the campaign began, largely became known to the public as his brother’s defender. He has not, however, had to deal with the same level of personal issues in the public eye.

Renata Ford’s lawsuit led his rivals to question the kind of premier Ford would be if he wins Thursday’s election, as polls indicate he is on track to do.

Her 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 other brother, Randy Ford. The suit alleges the brothers have since destroyed the value of the business.

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.