RAMAPO, N.Y. -- Suffern Mayor Ed Markunas is calling for the removal of Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence from office under Section 36 of the state's Public Officers Law.
The law, which states that any public officer can be removed for "any misconduct, maladministration, malfeasance or malversation in office," has not been used in the case of St. Lawrence, who was arrested earlier this month and charged with 22 counts of federal securities fraud, among other charges.
"As reported, on Thursday, April 14, Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence was arrested and charged with 22 counts of federal securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy charges for allegedly selling $150,000,000 in municipal bonds based on inflated town financial documents," Markunas said. "It is not in the best interest of the town of Ramapo or the village of Suffern to have Christopher St. Lawrence remain in his official capacity given his recent arrest and the charges filed against him. It is clear that in spite of bipartisan calls for his resignation, Mr. St. Lawrence refuses to voluntarily step down from office.
"Regardless of party affiliation, we should unite in restoring trust and good governance in the town of Ramapo," Markunas added. "The time has come to compel his removal from office. The village of Suffern and the town of Ramapo residents deserve better."
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