Fontana thanks staff ahead of expected resignation

CTV London: Fontana pays visit to city hall staff London Mayor Joe Fontana was at city hall a day before he is expected to resign from office. Daryl Newcombe explains.

A day before he is expected to officially resign his position, London Mayor Joe Fontana was at city hall saying farewell to senior staff.

It was the first public sighting of the mayor since the day he was handed three guilty verdicts on Friday. It is likely also his last full day in office.

Fontana has been the mayor for three-and-a-half years, but announced he planned to resign on Monday following three criminal convictions.

He was convicted of fraund under $5,000, uttering forged documents and breach of trust in connection with a doctored contract for $1,700 he submitted with his expenses in 2005 during his time as a Liberal MP.

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for July 15th.

Once Fontana makes his resignation official, Councillor Joe Swan will become acting mayor until an interim mayor can be selected.

Council is expected to hold a special meeting Monday to officially declare the mayor's seat vacant.

A vote to choose an interim mayor who would hold office until the municipal elections this fall could happen as soon as Tuesday.

The current front-runners are believed to be Councillors Joni Baechler, Judy Bryant, Bud Polhill and Harold Usher.