Our esteemed Mayor has once again been caught breaking the rules. An independent audit into his campaign finances from 2010 found that he overspent his limit by more than $40,000 and took money from corporate donors, in violation of the Municipal Elections Act.
While potential punishments range up to dismissal from office, it's highly unlikely that the Mayor will face anything more serious than a fine. Nevertheless, his supporters have already leapt to his defence, with his brother, Councilor Doug Ford, fuming that the audit never should have been ordered in the first place, and keyboard commandos from around the country passing the buck and blaming nonspecific 'liberals' for Mayor Ford's ongoing woes.
Regardless of where the Mayor's defenders point there fingers, the blame lies squarely on his shoulders. Rob Ford is categorically incapable of following the rules, whether it be through sheer willful ignorance or blind arrogance. He remains in office due to a technicality, and there's little doubt that he will be the subject of further court actions should he remain in power for the next two years.
Yet, Ford fans can comfort themselves with the fact that he is not alone. Councilor Giorgio Mammoliti, a former member of Ford's executive committee, also underwent an audit of his campaign finances. The results were delivered three weeks ago and found that Mammoliti had overspent his limit by a whopping 44%.
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