London, Ont., mayor accused of using federal funds for son's wedding

The mayor of London, Ont., is under investigation by the RCMP over allegations that $20,000 in federalfunds wereused to pay for his son's wedding.

Joe Fontana, who was theLiberal MP for London North Centreat the time of the wedding in 2005,released a statement Monday confirming that the Mounties are looking into the allegations against him.

On Sunday,the mayor saidhispreliminary review of his financial statements shows he made a personal payment to the Marconi Club, the banquet hall where his son Michael'swedding was held.

Fontana did notoffer details about that payment and said he has to get copies of the documents at the heart of the allegations from the appropriate institutions.

The allegations were initially published last weekin the London Free Press.

In the meantime, Fontana says city business will remain his priority.His lawyer, Gord Cudmore, advised the mayor not to make any further public comments.

Municipal affairs expert weighs in

CityCoun.Paul Hubert hopes the matter won't be a distraction.

"The important thing this week is council needs to focus onintegrity,and I think the mayor is going to have to do something about restoring confidence in the integrity of the office of mayor and the integrity of council," Hubert said.

He added that people feel dismayed and disillusioned, and that there's a feeling the city's reputation has been tarnished nationally by the accusations.

Meanwhile, veteranCoun.Bud Polhillbelievesmore information is needed before anyone attacks the mayor.

Polhillalso wondered why the information is coming out now.

"After seven years,this information has beenthere and it's nevercome up," Polhill said. "There were allkinds of opportunities to bring this forward in the past and it never happened,so I don't know what to think of it, butit made mepretty suspicious."

Andrew Sancton, a professor andexpert on municipal affairs at London's Western University, said there's no legal obligation for Fontana to step down.

"There's certainly no rules that require that. And there's no mechanism for forcing him to step aside," Sancton said.

Londoners were split on whether the mayor should step down from his post as the Mounties continue their investigation, though no charges have been laid.

"I don't know if he needs to step aside, but I think we need a few more answers," said Nancy Hallam. "And if stepping aside will bring those answers out, maybe that's the best."

Scott Hatcherd says he thinks the mayor should stay putuntil the facts come out.

"And once those facts are obtained, if for whatever reason, if he is proved guilty that would be a better time to have him step aside."