OPP reviewing allegations of 'illegal and unregistered' lobbying of Premier Doug Ford

Allegations that Ontario Premier Doug Ford is being lobbied in an illegal manner will be reviewed by the Ontario Provincial Police, the force said in a letter to an NDP MPP.

The allegations stem from an open letter penned by MPP Randy Hillier,who claimed he was aware of"illegal and unregistered lobbying by close friends and advisers employed" by Ford.

The longtime representative ofLanark-Frontenac-Kingstonpublished the allegations on March 18, three days after he was removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus.

In a March 21 communicationsent to NDP MPPTaras Natyshak, the OPP saidits anti-rackets unit will handle the review.

Ford's office has consistently denied any wrongdoing. During question period at the Ontario legislature on Thursday, Ford again said the allegations were untrue.

"There's no illegal lobbying going on, very simple. No one can influence our team, no one can buy our team," Ford said.

"Very simply, if you want to talk to the government, call me on my cellphone, we hand [the number] out anyways."

CBC Toronto is attempting to contact the OPP for more information about where its review stands.