He was a New Democratic member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1995 who represented the central Toronto riding of Oakwood.
Rizzo claimed the donation was legal but some argued the payment was a bribe for Saggiorato withdrawing his candidacy.
Saggiorato had left the race after finding out that Ron Brad, who had encouraged him to run, had registered again as a candidate.
Later Rizzo tried unsuccessfully to appoint Saggiorato to the city's municipal Committee of Adjustment - a position that came with a $2,000 honorarium.
In the end aldermen Jim Fera and Tony Mandarano were convicted for receiving bribes from the developer.
He ran in the newly formed Ward 28 (York Eglinton) but lost to Joe Mihevc and Rob Davis.
He accused Moscoe of interfering in a recent Toronto Transit Commission strike and of collusion with the taxicab industry.
In his old riding, York council appointed Reverend Paul Owen to replace Rizzo as an interim alderman.
[12] On October 5, 1990, it was revealed that Rizzo had obtained home renovation drawings from architect Rocco Maragna in 1987.
Rizzo wrote in a press release that "In hindsight, I see that what then seemed a small thing was an error in judgment.
When confronted by reporters Rizzo had used the f.... word and the next day he resigned from the NDP caucus to sit as an independent member of the legislature.
"[15] In June 1992, Rizzo was allowed to return to the NDP caucus and, during the caucus meeting before the summer recess, Rizzo suggested to the Premier and to the Minister of Finance and the Minister Transportation to start the process for financing and construction of the Eglinton Subway that was eventually started in 1994 but later stopped by the Harris government.
[16] In May 1994, Rizzo introduced a private member's bill that would have ensured that the courts consider grandparents in the best interest of the children.
[17] In June, Rizzo was one of twelve NDP MPPs to vote against Bill 167, proposed legislation that would have extended spousal benefits to same-sex couples.
[19] Joe Flexer a former NDP supporter put his name forward as an independent labour candidate in Oakwood.
[21] Declining support for the NDP because of controversial legislation like the social contract and general dissatisfaction with the party led to Rizzo's defeat.
[22] Rizzo formed a company called GTA Municipal Consultants which files property tax appeals for homeowners and takes a 50 per cent cut of any savings.