Mayor Rob Ford has been subpoenaed to testify in the extortion trial of Alexander Lisi.
Ford told reporters on Friday morning that he was served by Det. Sgt. Gary Giroux at his mother’s house two weeks ago, though he directed all further questions to his lawyer Dennis Morris.
The mayor will now be required to appear in court during Lisi's preliminary hearing in March.
Lisi is charged with extortion in connection with his alleged efforts to recover a video of the Ford smoking from a glass pipe.
“Mr. Giroux came to my mom’s home about two weeks ago and subpoenaed me. Everything now is before the courts and I suggest that you talk to Mr. Morris,” Ford said while attending a media tour of the recently completed Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre and Field House in Scarborough Friday.
News of the subpoena first broke about a month ago, prompting Coun. Doug Ford to accuse police of leaking the information as a form of "payback."
Ford then retracted his comments in full after Police Chief Bill Blair filed a notice of defamation.
Speaking with CP24 on Friday morning, Morris confirmed that Ford was subpoenaed during a brief pre-arranged meeting with Giroux on the evening of Aug. 26.
Morris then noted that Ford has "severed" his relationship with Lisi and anybody else "involved in any alleged impropriety with the law."
"He is obliged to attend court in reference to the subpoena served and he will testify as much as he can in terms of the topics and questions asked," Morris said.
Ford has refused to speak with police concerning Project Brazen 2, the investigation that began after officers viewed the alleged crack cocaine video and eventually led to the charge against Lisi.
Asked if he would reconsider that stance in light of the subpoena on Friday, Ford refused to answer.
Project Brazen 2 is believed to still be ongoing and Giroux has expressed a desire to interview the mayor on several occasions in the past.
"I think you should talk to Mr. Morris," Ford said. "People want to talk about the real issues like saving taxpayers money and building subways."
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