[URBAN NOTE] On Rob Ford, jailhouse beatings, and budget debates

[rfmcdonald]

There are no words.

The first story, from Global News.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is being sued for his alleged role in the jailhouse assault of his sister`s former partner.

Ford’s lawyer Dennis Morris confirmed to Global News Wednesday that a statement of claim had been filed against the mayor, alleging that he was behind the alleged jailhouse assault of Scott MacIntyre, the former partner of Ford’s sister.

The Ministry of Correctional Services, former Don Bosco football player Aedan Petros and former assistant coach of the Don Bosco football team Payman Aboodowleh have also been named in the statement.

[. . .]

MacIntyre was attacked in March 2012 by some inmates while he was being held at the Metro West Detention Centre after uttering threats against the mayor.

MacIntyre’s statement of claim says he told the mayor to “be careful” how he treated him while leaving his home in January 2012 because he knew “things about Ford and his family which had not been made public.”

[. . .]

“Ford and Aboodowleh conspired to have the plaintiff threatened, and subsequently brutally beaten, while he was incarcerated in [Metro West Detention Centre],” according to the statement of claim.

[. . . A] video showing the mayor in a violent, drunken rage was purchased and published by the Toronto Star in November.

In the video, the mayor is in a fit, slapping his legs and shouting about an unidentified person.

“When he’s dead, I’ll make sure that motherf—er… I need f—ing 10 minutes to make sure he’s dead,” Ford can be heard saying in the video.

The second story, from CBC News.

Toronto city council has passed its 2014 budget, ending an often fractious, day-long debate that saw officials trading barbs over libraries, fire trucks, security guards and — once again — subways.

The budget passed by a vote of 35-9 shortly after 9 p.m. ET Thursday, after some 11 hours of debate by the 45-member council.

Mayor Rob Ford, his brother, Coun. Doug Ford, and budget chief Frank Di Giorgio were among those who voted against it. The mayor had earlier submitted a handful of cost-cutting motions, some of which set the stage for tense, even angry exchanges throughout the day.

[. . .]

The budget debate is expected to continue into Thursday night, and possibly until Monday. Council will not sit on Friday because of the Lunar New Year.