Mayor Ford got some 'xplainin' to do

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will have to have undergo an audit of his campaign spending.

The decision to sift through Ford's expenses was made Friday by the city's compliance and audit committee, which ordered the audit after citizens complained about the mayor's campaign financing.

The complaint was filed by Max Reed, who worked on Coun. Mary Fragedakis's campaign and Adam Chaleff-Freudenthaler, who is a longtime community activist.

Specifically, they complained that more than $77,000 in expenses paid by Doug Ford Holdings was not in line with election spending laws.

The money was repaid but without any interest or surcharges.

The complainants argued that the money appears to be either a corporate donation or a loan from a private company — neither of which is permitted by law.

Read more here.

A politician that is bad with money, shocking I know. But wait, there's more...

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is being accused of trying to stack public consultations on a review of city services with people sympathetic to his views.

The accusations stem from an email sent this week to people who signed up for a Ford mailing list during last fall's election campaign.

The email, entitled "Mayor Ford needs your help!," urges supporters to register for one of eight public meetings where people can weigh in on which city services should be protected, cut or contracted out.

"This is about respect for taxpayers — watching your tax dollars is what Mayor Ford committed to do," the email reads, adding that space at the roundtable sessions are limited, so "register today."

The email ends with: "Thank you! From your friends in Ford Nation."

Read more here.