Toronto mayor's brother apologizes for handing out cash

TORONTO, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Controversial Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's brother, a city councilman, apologized for handing out cash to residents of a community housing building.

Councilor Doug Ford apologized Thursday for any offense caused when he visited a Toronto Community Housing building Wednesday and handed out gifts for children and $20 bills to adults, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Friday.

Fellow councilors characterized Ford's actions as vote buying.

"Words fail," Councilor Gord Perks posted on Twitter. "What have we become?"

"This is how rich people buy votes," Councilor Joe Mihevc tweeted.

Ford said he will stick to handing out Tim Horton's gift cards in the future.

"If I offended anyone, I apologize. I'm just trying to do some good for people," he said.