..An officer has told those waiting to enter the courtroom that no electronic devices can be turned on inside. We await clarification. (2/2)
Mayor Rob Ford is now in the building, and we're still unclear over tweeting rules. Proceedings expected to get underway at 10.
Clayton Ruby, the lawyer representing Paul Magder, who alleges Ford broke conflict of interest rules, is in the courtroom.
Alan Lenczner, the lawyer representing Mayor Ford, is in the packed courtroom. Heavy media presence here.
Judge confirms tweeting from courtroom permitted, although photography and telephone calls not permitted.
Clayton Ruby in opening remarks summarizes integrity commish Janet Leiper's finding that Ford violated council code of conduct in 2010 (1/2)
...When he used city materials to solicit donations for his football foundation.
Ruby: Ford spoke "passionately" and "deliberately" during Feb 2012 vote in which council rescinded previous vote to compel him to repay $$
"The kids are not the issue": Ruby says key issue in court isn't the donations to the foundation, but his vote in council
But Lenczner notes he did speak, but not specifically about the motion that was voted on.
Rather, the act only applies if there's a conflict between city's business and a member's interest in that city business.
Ford being questioned by his lawyer; says it costs about $20k to start a football team. Says he solicits donations for fdn.
Ford doesn't feel he used his influence in any way to solicit some $3150 in donations to his fdn. Says he didn't receive gifts from donors.
Ford says he "doesn't see how (donations) benefit the city in any waym"
Ford says his def'n of conflict of interest occurs when he has a financial interest in something the city has a financial interest in.