Taking a page from Mayor Rob Ford’s crisis playbook, embattled Toronto Community Housing Corp. chief executive Gene Jones had a lawyer speak for him Thursday in advance of the meeting at which he might be fired.

The TCHC board of directors will convene Friday morning to discuss the ombudsman’s investigation that revealed numerous apparent violations of hiring, promotion and conflict of interest rules. Jones’ job is on the line.

Ford held an afternoon news conference to repeat his support for Jones and his criticism of ombudsman Fiona Crean, whom he accused of “politicking” and working on behalf of “special interests” he did not identify.

Ford argued that the TCHC is “a hell of a lot better” than it was when he came to city hall 14 years ago. Modifying a statement he usually utters about himself, Ford said, “Is he perfect? No. But none of us are perfect.”

Jones did not make any public comments. An employment and labour lawyer, Soma Ray-Ellis, appeared on CP24 on his behalf. Ray-Ellis said Jones is beloved by TCHC tenants.