Days after being convicted of three crimes, Mayor Joe Fontana is resigning from office -- ending a three-decade political career in disgrace.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, Fontana says he will speak to reporters Thursday but in the meantime is taking steps to “ensure a smooth transition for whomever takes the interim mayor’s position.”

It’s been three days since Fontana was convicted and while Londoners overwhelmingly expected him to resign – and even some political allies are calling on him to do so – Fontana had made no moves since Friday morning.

Technically, he remained mayor as of mid-day Monday.

It’s worth noting the bureaucrats are separate from any political scandal, and operationally city hall is running as normal.

Under Ontario law, a criminal conviction doesn’t disqualify a mayor from continuing to hold office. So, essentially, Fontana could hold onto power for now if he so chooses.

But his sentencing is set for July 15. If he’s put behind bars for even one day, he’d be automatically disqualified from remaining in the mayor’s chair.

Fontana was convicted Friday of breach of trust, fraud under $5,000 and uttering a forged document. The crimes were committed in 2005, when he was Liberal MP for London North Centre and a cabinet minister in Paul Martin’s government.

The guilty verdicts close the loop on investigative reporting by The Free Press in 2012 that first raised questions about a $1,700 expense Fontana billed to taxpayers in ’05.

The RCMP investigated, charging Fontana on Nov. 21, 2012. A four-day, judge-only trial was held last month and Superior Court Justice Bruce Thomas convicted him Friday.

An lfpress.com poll asking whether Fontana should resign drew nearly 5,000 votes, and 93% of them voted 'yes.'

The resignation opens the door to a wide-open mayoral race this fall. Fontana had been expected to seek a second term – but now, council rookie Matt Brown remains the lone serious contender.

Many observers expect Joe Swan, a staunch council ally of Fontana’s, to also run. He’s mulling a campaign but hasn’t formally entered the race.

More immediately the question is: Who will serve as acting mayor for the next four months?

It's expected one existing council member will be selected as a substitute. That would require a majority of council (eight votes) agreeing on the choice.

Statement released by Mayor Fontana on Monday

Please be advised Mayor Fontana is announcing he will resign as Mayor of London. He will hold a Media Conference on Thursday, June 19, 2014.

Mayor Fontana says, “I am taking this step out of respect for the office of the Mayor, the people of London and our judicial system. Over the next two days I will be speaking with fellow Council members and City staff to ensure a smooth transition for whomever takes the interim Mayor’s position.”

Details regarding time and location of the Media Conference will be provided on Thursday morning by email.

Mayor Fontana will not be taking interviews prior to Thursday.