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RCMP charge London, Ont., mayor with fraud

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Mayoral candidate Joe Fontana reacts to election results during the municipal election in London, Ont., on October 25, 2010. The mayor of London, Ont., has been charged with fraud and other charges related to the alleged inappropriate use of funds when he was a federal cabinet minister and Liberal member of Parliament. The RCMP says Joe Fontana is charged with fraud under 000, breach of trust by a public official and uttering forged documents. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave Chidley

LONDON, Ont. – 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)

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The Canadian Press

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