Joe Fontana guilty verdict proves some scandals are still punished in Ontario

In Ontario, where big-C Conservatives were left questioning the existence of justice and karma in the wake of last night's stunning Liberal majority victory, evidence came that scandal does not always go unpunished.

Joe Fontana, the mayor of London and a former Liberal member of parliament, was found guilty on Friday of three counts stemming from a spending scandal in which the Government of Canada was found to have been charged for part of the cost of his son's wedding.

The Canadian Press reports that Fontana was found guilty of forging a document that led to the federal government reimbursing him for $1,700.

In his scathing ruling, Superior Court Judge Bruce Thomas said it was perplexing that Fantino would take such a risk for a mere $1,700.

"I regret that this had to happen, especially for the people of London," Fontana told reporters after the ruling. It was a message that did nothing to satisfy the disenfranchised in London and across Ontario.

Fantino and his exploits, which occured while he was a federal MP, of course have no connection to the Ontario Liberal Party. But the trial had been lumped together with the gas plant spending scandal, along with Ornge air ambulace and eHealth, under the heading of "Liberal spending scandals" in the province, where the recent election was fought heavily on a history of questionable spending.

Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak, who stepped down after the stunning loss, had spent much of the campaign reminding voters about the series of spending scandals that took place under the Liberal reign.

Even in defeat, Hudak stated, "Ontario families expect to see a level of transparency and a standard of conduct that is dramatically different from the Liberal record of recent years."

Regardless of Hudak's warnings, Ontario voted to return the Liberals to power, even giving them a stronger mandate. The message from conservative pundits was that Ontario ensured themselves, "Four more years of scandal."

In the wake of general election, when the masses finally have their say on what message they agree with, supporters of the losing party tend to let their message fade, or at least set it aside for a time. But with Fantino's stunning guilty verdict, those frustrated by "Liberal spending scandals" were given a new outlet. And they put it to use.

Fontana is already being urged to resign by city council colleagues. And if he serves any time in jail as part of his sentence those demands become moot - he'll be automatically removed from office.

Fontana's star is falling, while other Liberals in Ontario are celebrating their biggest win in years. But with his guilty verdict, Big-C Conservatives have been given an outlet to vent.

But when Fantino is gone from London, a Liberal majority will still govern Queen's Park. And that can't sit well.

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