Paul Cheng suggests the media is trying to ‘smear’ his mayoral campaign

One of the candidates running for mayor in London is defending himself after LFPress posted articles about the way he is managing his campaign.

“For the second time in 72 hours, the London Free Press has printed unfounded allegations regarding my character and campaign expenses. These allegations are speculative and untrue,” says Paul Cheng.

He believes the media is being ‘bias’ and it is ‘misleading’ London citizens, as well adding that the press does not report facts, but ‘innuendo.’

“The most untrue statement printed was that I do not respect city hall. I would like to state that I do, in fact, I respect city hall and the citizens of London; contrary to what Councillor Paul Hubert and the London Free Press believe,” says Cheng.

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The articles mention the candidate’s latest campaign expenses, where he admits to have put $10,000 more out of his own pocket than the $25,000 allowed by the Ontario Municipal Election Act.

“I was disappointed by the negative publicity and I would like to make it clear; I am within the legal limits of campaign expenditures and in full compliance with the Ontario Municipal Election Act,”  he adds.

According to the LFPress’s article, Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and London City Clerk, Cathy Saunders, said and agreed that the rules for municipal campaigns do not deal, specifically, with the candidates ability to loan money to their campaign and then recover it through campaign donations.

Cheng argues that he will recover the money from future donations.