Allentown City Council on Wednesday night approved a symbolic resolution calling for the resignation of Mayor Ed Pawlowski, whose administration has been besieged by a federal investigation since last summer.

Approved unanimously, the nonbinding resolution voices no confidence in Pawlowski, who is embroiled in a pay-to-play scheme involving campaign contributions and city contracts.

"Maybe it is too little but it is here and it is now," council President Ray O'Connell said.

The mayor has not been charged with any crime in the probe, launched publicly with an FBI search of city hall in July. He did not attend Wednesday night's meeting but sent an email to council members that city Clerk Michael Hanlon read just prior to adjournment of the meeting. Here is the text:

"For the past 10 years, I have proudly served the people of Allentown. I have led the massive rebuilding of this great city and been one of the architects of the unparalleled revitalization of Allentown as a place to live, work and play.

"A bedrock principle of our justice system is that everyone, which includes mayors, councilmen, reporters and the public, are presumed innocent. I certainly hope that this concept has not been suspended in the City of Allentown. You would all want this protection for you, your friends or family members. I am simply requesting the same and am disheartened that council is taking punitive and dramatic action against me without the benefit of affording me due process.

"Hundreds upon hundreds of people have approached me over the last several months to encourage, support and pray for me and my family during these last several months.

"I understand this has been hard on our city. It has been even harder on me and my family. Yet I remain committed to serving the city and its residents as the mayor, trusting your patience with this process.

"No matter what the outcome of your vote is tonight, I commit to work with you for the betterment of our city and ask you to commit to do the same.

"I ask that you afford me the courtesy of publicly reading this into the record at this evening's proceedings."

Pawlowski noted he was unable to attend council's meeting because he was representing Allentown at a U.S. Conference of Mayors gathering in Washington, D.C.

Pawlowski has not been identified by name in indictments of three other one-time city officials who have pleaded guilty to charges against them. But the indictments' references to public official No. 3 uses descriptions that can only apply to the mayor.

Members of Allentown City Council take part in a meeting Jan. 20, 2016, during which they unanimously approved a symbolic, non-binding resolution calling for the resignation of embattled Mayor Ed Pawlowski and voicing no confidence in his leadership. (Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com)

Councilman Daryl Hendricks, a former city police official who said he has worked with the FBI on investigations, said Wednesday night he believes the mayor will face charges.

"The FBI did not come here on a witch hunt," Hendricks said. "Innocent people do not plead guilty. ... There is no doubt in my mind that our mayor, Ed Pawlowski, will be indicted."

Council's vote followed several comments from residents in favor of the mayor, noting the strides Allentown has made during his tenure toward a revitalized urban destination. Others said they believe Pawlowski is guilty of ethics violations and deserves council's resolution.

The fallout so far of the probe has led to guilty pleas by:

Ramzi Haddad, a Lehigh Valley developer, in September, to conspiracy to commit bribery.

Dale Wiles, a former assistant city solicitor, last November, to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with awarding an Allentown contract to collect delinquent real estate taxes.

Garret Strathearn, former city finance director, earlier this month, to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

Mary Ellen Koval, former city controller, last week, to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.

Moving forward, council will appoint a Democrat, because that is Koval's party, as interim controller. Council on Wednesday also appointed Scott Holbert to the position of assistant city solicitor.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.