Ford insider double-billed Ontarians, Conservatives hiding it: NDP

QUEEN’S PARK — The Official Opposition Ontario NDP has obtained new documents that suggest Ford’s Conservatives are trying to hide the fact they paid the Premier's close friend and former employee, Amin Massoudi, nearly a quarter-million dollars for a communications contract while he simultaneously worked as Ford’s principal secretary.

Results of an NDP freedom of information request shows Amin Massoudi left his job as principal secretary to Doug Ford on August 27, 2022; yet the Premier’s office told the Toronto Star the government paid Mr. Massoudi’s firm $237,300 to provide communications work from about July 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023.

“Ford’s right-hand man Mr. Massoudi was paid to do the same job, only this time, through his private company,” Official Opposition NDP Leader Marit Stiles said. “So not only did Doug Ford double-bill taxpayers, but he appears to be hiding it from the public.”

“We keep uncovering more and more corruption with this government, and it always points right back to the Premier.”