TORONTO - Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has failed to postpone a long-awaited court hearing to determine whether the city will audit his campaign books.
The mayor's lawyer was in court today asking for the case to be pushed back from mid-April to at least November while a higher court considers an appeal in a similar case.
City council's compliance audit committee last year ordered a forensic review of Ford's 2010 election finances after two Toronto residents filed a complaint.
Adam Chaleff-Freudenthaler and Max Reed allege Ford broke election rules by using his family's company to pay for tens of thousands in expenses. Ford has denied any wrongdoing.
Ford challenged the committee's decision, but court earlier denied his request for a brand new hearing with fresh evidence.
Now Ford's lawyer is leaving the door open to a last-minute appeal of that decision, which would effectively put the case on hold.
A lawyer representing the city says any further delay would undermine the process and go against public interest.
