Boardwalk Café owner giving Ford a choice: apology or lawsuit

In the Toronto Sun, the crusading conservative said the Tuggs contract “smacks of civic corruption” and “stinks to high heaven.” Ford is quoted to have said: “it’s confidential and I wish you guys knew what happened behind closed doors.”

The remarks drew a sharp rebuke from Mayor David Miller, who called the statements “irresponsible,” and Ford’s rivals. Rocco Rossi said the comments were “reckless.” Smitherman likened them to “drive-by smears.” But Foulidis is the first to legally challenge Ford’s accusations that city hall is rife with corruption.

According to the Globe, Ford’s legal counsel haven’t received any papers yet, so they have no official response. It’s hard to imagine Ford apologizing for this, though, as the “Tuggs deal” has been central to Ford’s campaign so far. Admitting that he was wrong, and that it did not in fact “stink to high heaven,” would be a pretty serious retraction. Hell, Ford might keep this fight going just so he doesn’t give Sandra Bussin the satisfaction of being vindicated.

• Restaurant says they’re being exploited by Ford [Toronto Star] • Pub owner threatens to sue Ford for libel [Globe and Mail] • Boardwalk pub owner threatening lawsuit against Rob Ford [National Post] • Rob Ford faces lawsuit by owner of Boardwalk Pub [CP24] • Pub owner to sue Rob Ford [Toronto Sun] • ‘Boardwalk Pub’ owner announces lawsuit against Rob Ford for false allegations of corruption [CNW]