According to Rob Ford, the decision by the Supreme Court of Canada refusing to hear an appeal in a case of conflict of interest which was considered a threat to remove him from office served as a verdict to clear him of the scandal.

After the case was dismissed by the top court on Thursday, Ford was reported saying, “I am so happy this is over “The Supreme Court was under no obligation to give any reasons for its decision. This is customary.

Clayton Ruby who is the lawyer for Toronto resident Paul Magder had launched the appeal. He had filed a lawsuit against Mayor Ford accusing him of violating the Ontario Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. According to Ford the whole case was politically driven by a very small group of people with open ties to political activists.

“They were trying hard to stop me from moving forward with my agenda because they failed to beat me at the polls” Ford said.

In 2010 a ruling was made by the city of Toronto’s integrity commissioner where Ford was found to have abused his position as a councilor and accused of using city letterhead and council resources to raise funds of $3,150 to go to his football foundation. This is when the conflict of interest controversy began. It was later voted by the council requiring Ford to pay back the money with his personal money but this changed when Ford was voted in as a mayor. He raised the matter in the council where he voted on a decision freeing him from paying back the donations. An argument was made by Ruby in court where Magder had filed a suit saying that it was wrong for Ford to speak and vote on the issue.

Last November, Ford was ordered to leave office by an Ontario Superior Court judge after he found him to have violated the Act but the ruling was overturned by a three member appeal where it was decided that the council acted beyond its authority to ask Ford to pay back the money. This was a decision by the panel of judges.

Ruby made an application to the Supreme Court saying that Ford should not be cleared of his conflict of interest by the council’s mistakes. He said that the appeals court erred in its findings.

Ford was recorded saying that a significant financial and emotional toll was taken from his family.  He also said that at city hall there was a state of instability, confusion and turmoil for months.

“And this is for what? Just because money was raised to help underprivileged kids play football.” Ford said.

Ford refused to take questions from reporters.

Toronto Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday was recorded on Thursday saying that the case was out of pure antagonism and should have been dropped but it was unfortunate because that did not happen. Mark Halfyard a criminal lawyer told CTV News Channel that it did not come as a surprise that Ruby’s appeal was dismissed.

According to Halfyard only 12% of appeals were heard by the Supreme Court last year and municipal matters are rarely heard by this court unless they are of national interest.