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Audit into Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s campaign financing due

An audit into Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s campaign expenses may be released Friday afternoon and, depending on what it finds, the report may put the mayor into legal trouble once again.

The report from the city’s auditor looks into how Ford financed his successful run for mayor in 2010.

There are concerns that he may have contravened the Municipal Elections Act. If the audit finds this has happened, a city compliance audit committee could decide to hire a special prosecutor, who could consider non-criminal charges against the mayor, reports the Toronto Star. One of the penalties could be removal from office.

This audit comes just a week after the mayor celebrated a legal victory in another dispute that had the potential to see him removed from office. Last Friday, a panel of judges released its decision on a legal appeal Ford made after Judge Charles Hackland found him guilty of contravening the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act and removed him from office. Ford won his appeal and was allowed to remain as mayor.

However, Ford’s legal battle in that case may not be over. Clayton Ruby, the lawyer who brought the case against Ford before the courts, said he plans to ask the Supreme Court of Canada for leave to appeal the Divisional Court decision.

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