Councillor Mark Grimes's campaign spending

questioned
Toronto's compliance audit committee will hear resident Michael Craig's complaint on Aug. 25.

An Etobicoke resident is asking for an audit of Counsellor Mark Grimes (left), campaign expenses.
By: David Rider City Hall Bureau Chief, Published on Mon Aug 17 2015

An Etobicoke resident is asking the City of Toronto to audit the 2014 re-election campaign expenses
of Mark Grimes (open Mark Grimes's policard), the longtime councillor for Ward 6 EtobicokeLakeshore.
Mark Craig will make his case to the compliance audit committee on Aug. 25.
In his application made public Tuesday, Craig alleges that Grimes massively overspent to get reelected. The city says the council campaign limit for Ward 6, based on its population, was
$40,432.25.
Candidates have to fully account for spending, including the fair market value of discounted or gifted
resources.
Craig questions expenses including:
Production costs for dozens of short online campaign videos, many of them featuring
endorsements from people including Councillor Norm Kelly (open Norm Kelly's policard). Craig says
the reported $3,200 spent on the videos and photography is far under market value.

 The cost of trucks with flashing lights and Grimes signs that Craig says drove main streets toward
the end of the campaign. Craig says he can find no accounting for the costs of truck rental or gas.
Grimess family owns a trucking company.
Grimes listed no staff salaries. Craig questions if two campaign workers were in fact paid.
Brochure production and distribution expenses.
At the hearing, Grimes or a representative will be able to argue why the audit is unnecessary.
If the three-member panel orders an audit, and it finds evidence of overspending, the panel can refer
it to a special prosecutor for possible prosecution under the Municipal Elections Act.
The CBC reported in February that Michael Craig filed a complaint against Grimes with Torontos
integrity commissioner, alleging concerns over Grimess dealings with developers. The commissioner
will not confirm if that resulted in any probe.
The Star reported in July 2014 that, when Rob Ford (open Rob Ford's policard) made a mayoral reelection campaign appearance at an Etobicoke park, Craig tried to ask him about his voting record on
parks improvements.
Asked by a Star reporter at the event for comment on Fords alleged hypocrisy, Grimes said: Hes
the mayor. I dont need to comment on that.
Grimes has not yet responded to the Stars request for comment.

http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2015/08/17/councillor-mark-grimesscampaign-spending-questioned.html#