London, Ontario, mayor charged

Photo: Contributed - london.ca

Mayor Joe Fontana

RCMP have charged the mayor of London, Ont., with fraud amid allegations he misused public funds.

An RCMP news release says Joe Fontana is also charged with breach of trust by a public official and uttering forged documents.

The former federal cabinet minister was facing allegations he used more than $20,000 in federal government money to help pay for his son's wedding reception in 2005.

In a letter posted on his website Tuesday, Fontana called the allegations "serious" but said he would not let them interfere with his duties.

Fontana has previously denied the accusations.

London radio station AM980 says a news conference has been scheduled for Thursday in which the mayor is to address his political future.

(Canadian Press AM980)