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Mayor of corruption-plagued Rome changes mind, won't step down, defying Premier Renzi

Associated Press
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FILE - In this Tuesday, July 28, 2015 file photo, Rome's Mayor Ignazio Marino smiles as he poses at Rome's Campidoglio Capitol Hill. Rome is the Eternal City, but its mayor's decision to quit the helm of corruption-plague Italian capital, didn't last very long. Mayor Ignazio Marino announced on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015 he withdrew his resignation of two weeks ago. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File) (The Associated Press)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015, Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino smiles during the red carpet for the latest James Bond film 'Spectre' in Rome. Rome is the Eternal City, but its mayor's decision to quit the helm of corruption-plague Italian capital, didn't last very long. Mayor Ignazio Marino announced on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015 he withdrew his resignation of two weeks ago. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) (The Associated Press)

Rome's mayor has announced Thursday that he isn't resigning after all, but his anti-corruption commissioner and deputy mayor quit after Ignazio Marino announced his about-face.

Marino, who on Oct. 12 that he was standing down as mayor, isn't involved in corruption probes of public works contracts, including migrant shelters, from before his resounding 2013 election victory.

He resigned after Italian newspapers reported he used public funds for private family dinners. Marino, who denies wrongdoing, didn't explain his change-of-mind.

Marino is defying the leadership of Premier Matteo Renzi's Democratic Party, who have insisted the former liver-transplant surgeon resign as mayor. There are fears that Roman disgust with inadequate mass transit and garbage collection will hurt the party in future elections.