A friend of Rob Ford's will be tried on an extortion charge that police have said relates to his alleged efforts to retrieve an infamous recording of the former Toronto mayor smoking crack.

On Thursday, a preliminary hearing for Alexander (Sandro) Lisi wrapped up in a Toronto court, with a judge ruling there was enough evidence for him to stand trial.

Lisi will be back in court on May 27, at which point a trial date will be set.

It is expected to take place this fall.

Lisi was charged with extortion in October 2013. Police alleged that the friend and occasional driver for Ford undertook "extortive efforts" to retrieve the so-called crack cocaine video.

Ford now serves as a city councillor.