**680 NEWS**

Progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford is being sued by his sister-in-law Renata Ford, just days before Ontarians head to the polls to elect a new premier.

The $16.5 million lawsuit was filed on Friday and alleges Doug denied Renata and her two children millions of dollars from shares in the family business and a life insurance policy left behind to support Rob’s family.

The court documents also allege Doug Ford is a “negligent” business manager whose decisions have led to a steady decrease in the value of the family company, Deco Labels.

In a statement, Ford called the claims “completely false and we will strongly refute them in court.”

He also claimed Renata’s lawyers have been telling them to hand over money, or “they would go public with these false claims.”

His full statement reads:

“These claims relating to Deco are completely false and we will strongly refute them in court. I have also stood by my brother and his family through so many of their challenging times, and will always be there for Stephanie and Dougie. Renata’s lawyers have been clear to us throughout this campaign, that either we hand over money, or they would go public with these false claims, and that is exactly what they have done, with three days to go until the election”.

The lawsuit specifically alleges Doug Ford and his brother Randy, who are the trustees of their deceased brother’s estate, denied money to Rob’s children, Stephanie and Douglas.

Doug and Rob’s mother, Diane Ford also released a statement, calling the accusations, “false and baseless.”

“It is heartbreaking that Renata has chosen to bring forward these false and baseless allegations against our family, right in the middle of the provincial election campaign. As a family, our one goal is to ensure Rob’s children are cared for and their financial futures are secure. Renata has serious struggles with addiction, and our hope is that she will accept help for the sake of herself and my grandchildren.”

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

 

–680 NEWS