Toronto Mayor: 'If I lose the court case I guess I lose my job'

Toronto - "If I lose the court case I guess I lose my job," stated Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in an interview with a local radio news outlet. The mayor is facing a conflict of interest case that could force him to resign from office.

Digital Journal reported on a press conference held at city hall in March of Mayor Rob Ford being accused of violating the province of Ontario’s Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. The mayor is accused of speaking and voting on whether or not he should pay back $3,150 in donations to his football charity from a corporation and lobbyists. If he is found guilty in the conflict of interest case a judge shall force him out of office and he would be barred from rejoining council for up to seven years. For the first time, Ford acknowledged that he could be ousted from office two years before the 2014 mayoral election. Speaking with Newstalk1010’s The Jim Richards Showgram on Tuesday, Ford spoke about the matter as well as his recent nine-hour fishing trip with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and he admitted he does read the Toronto Star for its sports coverage. Ford explained that he will be heading to court next week and that it “really bothers me.” The mayor stated that his Rob Ford Football Foundation helps about 14 schools in underprivileged neighbourhoods “and these kids have flourished.” “I can’t get into too much because obviously of what’s going to happen. He’s [Clayton Ruby] going to cross-examine me and they want me out of office. If I lose the court case, I guess I lose my job. I don’t know, it really bothers me,” said the mayor. “If you don’t like what I’m doing there’s an election on Oct. 27, 2014. It’s two years away, then have your say. I don’t think that’ it’s right what’s going on. But, again, I’ve got to watch what I say, so I can’t say too much.” If the mayor is found guilty, Justice Charles Hackland could still permit Ford to be in office if the judge deems he made an “error of judgment or inadvertence” or even if the amount was “insignificant.” Should the mayor be kicked out of office, the council could call a mayoral by-election or appoint someone for the remainder of his term.