Mayor Rob Ford says he has hired three new “movers and shakers” to replace six staffers that have left in recent weeks.
The mayor said he hired the staffers today and that they got to work right away. More people are expected to be hired next week, he said.
Ford wouldn’t say the exact titles the staffers would hold.
“Everyone here works for the one person – the taxpayer,” he said.
He also confirmed the departure of his sixth staffer Michael Prempeh, but said he was told about his resignation more than a month ago – weeks before a growing scandal hit the mayor’s office on May 16.
“He told me he wanted to open his own business,” Ford said, answering questions from the media. “I wish him all the best. He will be a very successful young man.”
The news comes one day after Ford’s executive assistant Kia Nejatian and policy advisor Brian Johnston both left their positions.
Last Friday, the mayor’s chief of staff Mark Towhey was let go. Then, days later, his press secretary George Christopoulos and deputy press secretary Isaac Ransom resigned, fuelling speculation that the scandal was causing the mayor to lose support within his inner circle.
Ford has denied this saying he always supports staff looking for “new opportunities.”
Ford has been under intense media scrutiny since May 16 when both the Toronto Starand Gawker published a report alleging the mayor was seen in a cellphone video with what appeared to be a glass pipe.
The mayor has denied the video exists.
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