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By Natalie Alcoba and Mary Vallis

UPDATE, 9:14 a.m. ET

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Toronto mayoral candidate Rob Ford this morning admitted he has been charged with criminal offences on three occasions, including a 1999 incident in Florida where he refused to provide a breath sample while returning from a Valentine’s Day date with his wife.

Mr. Ford pleaded guilty to the charge the year before he became a city councillor.

At a hastily called news conference, Mr. Ford addressed his past after the Toronto Sunconfronted him with evidence

he was charged with marijuana possession in Florida in 1999; that charge was later dropped.

The Etobicoke councillor, who is the current mayoral frontrunner, said he was caught off guard by questions about drug charges.

“What I remember is failing to provide a breath sample. When I think about those charges, the marijuana charge was dismissed. So when somebody discussed this with me the first thing that pops in my head was failing to provide a breath sample,” Mr. Ford said.