by KYW's Mike Dunn

The president of Philadelphia City Council is more than a little irritated that convicted city councilman Rick Mariano has sent a letter to his district’s constituents without her knowledge.

Mariano’s letter to constituents says that while his future is, as he put it, “clouded,” his office will be “fully staffed.” 

Council president Anna Verna (photo above) says no way will that office stay fully staffed when Mariano resigns upon sentencing:

(Verna:) “We would probably have a skeleton crew, that would be it, just to answer phone calls and have somebody there for constituent services.”

(Reporter:)  "So to that degree, you feel the letter may be misleading?"

(Verna:) ”Oh, definitely.  Very definitely.”

Verna says she consulted with the city solicitor as to whether Councilman Mariano is even allowed to send a letter to constituents. 
She was advised that he is permitted to so as long as he remains in office.