> The rightwing rag we've come to know as 'The Toronto Sun' - a subsidiary
> of Sun Media, has taken it upon itself to destroy tapes that would
> confirm Rob Ford's accusations of corruption.
> The Toronto Sun is home to such radicals as Andy Donato, Barbara Amiel
> (Conrad Black's wife), Rachel Marsden (sex scandal fame), David Frum
> (advisor to George W Bush) and Ezra Levant (mouthpiece for all things
> Jewish).
> ["Editorially, the paper frequently follows the positions of
> neo-conservatism in the United States on economic issues and traditional
> Canadian/British conservatism."] - Wikipedia
> ________________________________________
> CBC News - Posted: Nov 13, 2012
> Rob Ford libel trial hears he never referenced 'corruption'
> Taped recording of key interview erased
> A Toronto restaurant owner is accusing Mayor Rob Ford of libel, citing
> the politician's comments about how a lease was awarded to the businessman.
> The lawyer representing Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in a libel trial claims
> the mayor never said a city deal to give a restaurateur a 20-year lease
> extension "smacks of corruption."
> Ford is facing a $6-million defamation lawsuit over comments he
> allegedly made during his 2010 mayoral campaign.
> At the time, Ford was incensed that the city gave an untendered 20-year
> lease extension to the operator of the Boardwalk Cafe along Woodbine Beach.
> The restaurant's owner, George Foulidis, is accusing Ford of defamation,
> saying the mayor suggested he won the contract as a result of illegal
> activity.
> Much of Tuesday's opening statements focused on the wording of a story
> that stemmed from a meeting Ford had with the Sun newspaper's editorial
> board in August 2010.
> The story paraphrases Ford as saying the contract "smacks of civic
> corruption," but the mayor's lawyer, Gavin Tighe, denied Monday that his
> client ever said those words. He told the court that a recording of
> Ford's conversation with the Sun has since been erased, and that the
> reporter's notes are no longer available.
> The only record that does exist is a reporter's email describing the
> comments, Tighe said.
> Ford told the Sun the deal "stinks to high heaven." He also agreed with
> a radio interviewer on a separate occasion when asked: "Is someone
> getting money under the table?"
> Tighe argued that because Foulidis ended up getting the lease extension,
> none of Ford's comments hurt the restaurateur financially. Tighe also
> said that Ford had the right to make his views known on a key issue
> ahead of the municipal election in October 2010.
> In his opening statement, Foulidis’s lawyer, Brian Schiller, said the
> case is "not about politics," and insisted the damage to his client is
> "extensive and malicious."
> Foulidis had also begun to testify on Tuesday afternoon, with Ford
> scheduled to appear in the witness box either later in the afternoon or
> Wednesday.
> 'They're coming after him,' Ford's brother says
> Coun. Doug Ford, the mayor's brother, has said the lawsuit is
> politically motivated.
> “What did he do wrong? They’re coming after him,†said Doug Ford.
> The mayor’s brother also said the case could take on a circus-like
> atmosphere with the number of high-profile witnesses scheduled to be
> called as witnesses, including former mayor David Miller.
> “It's just a big Hollywood show in my opinion,†said Doug Ford.
> “They are calling everyone but [U.S.] President Obama, and I’m
> surprised he hasn’t been called. It's a big show and this will
> continue until the next election.â€
> The trial is expected to last four days.
