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Another embattled Mount Vernon mayor finds himself embroiled in trouble with the law, according to reports.
Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas, 35, has been arraigned on corruption charges, as part of an investigation by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s Office, according to multiple reports Monday morning.
Thomas was arraigned on a felony charge of grand larceny and filing a false instrument after being accused of stealing more than $10,000 from his campaign committee and lying about it on finance filing forms. The report states he also used finances from his campaign to pay for personal expenses. He is expected to be arraigned in Mount Vernon City Court on Monday.
Thomas, 35, was the youngest mayor elected in Mount Vernon history in 2015, following on the heels of former Mayor Ernest Davis, who also found himself in the sights of law enforcement for various alleged incidents. Thomas has butted heads with several other elected officials during his tenure, including City Councilman Andre Wallace and recently ousted City Comptroller Maureen Walker.
The arrest comes days before Thomas was scheduled to deliver the annual “State of the City” address on Thursday, March 15 at the Wartburg.
Thomas’ administration has come under fire in recent months, with the most recent incident involving Walker and a $70,000 vehicle purchased for Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Spiezio that was “illegally and fraudulently” purchased. The mayor could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday morning.
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