Toronto Mayor Ford wants police chief to explain investigation cost

TORONTO, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford criticized police over funds it used to track him last fall, calling on Police Chief Bill Blair to reveal the investigation's costs.

Ford told reporters Thursday if Blair planned to arrest him, the "arrest me," otherwise the investigation was a waste of funds, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

"I have done nothing wrong and he's wasted millions of dollars," Ford said. "I want him to come clean and say how much money did it cost the taxpayers for surveillance on me and the planes that he had to rent -- that is absolutely game-playing. It's politics and I am not apologizing."

Ford had first been talking with reporters about the status of city skating rinks, but the talk quickly turned to his testy relationship with the city's police chief.

Ford has refused to step down and is seeking a second term as mayor. The election is in the fall.

He has conceded he used illegal drugs and drank excessively in the past.