Police chief threatens legal action against Doug Ford

TORONTO – Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair says he’s prepared to sue Rob Ford’s brother and campaign manager Doug Ford after the councillor insinuated Blair leaked the news that the mayor will be subpoenaed in the extortion trial of his friend Sandro Lisi. Lisi’s accused of using threats to obtain a video of the mayor smoking what looks like crack cocaine.

Doug Ford said Friday morning the subpoena  was “payback.”

“Maybe the chief should just let the Toronto Star serve them because god knows they have a direct line to the chief.”

Doug Ford went on to say: “I think you know what I’m talking about.”

Blair responded with a short statement in an email:

Police plan to subpoena Rob Ford to testify in Lisi’s extortion case,  the Toronto Star reported Friday.

The newspaper says a “quiet” meeting scheduled on Thursday between Det.-Sgt. Gary Giroux and Ford was postponed after reporters reached out to Ford’s lawyer.

READ MORE: Sandro Lisi to face trial on drug charges next year

The mayor has not yet been served with a subpoena, his brother said.

Both Fords’ relationship with Blair has been strained since November when Blair confirmed the existence of a video showing the mayor smoking what looks like crack cocaine, saying he was “disappointed.”

For months afterward, both Ford brothers slammed the chief and claimed an ongoing police investigation into the mayor was politically motivated. Doug Ford also suggested the investigation boded ill for Blair’s chances of having his contract renewed.

The Police Services Board announced Wednesday Blair’s contract would not be extended past April, 2015.

The Toronto Star and Gawker first reported the video’s existence May 16, 2013.

The Star quoted Ford’s lawyer Dennis Morris as saying it’s not a matter of if the mayor will get a subpoena notice, but when.

The dates for both the extortion case and drug charges have been set for the spring of 2015.

READ MORE: More documents released in Project Traveller investigation