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In a statement released on Tuesday, Sept. 24, Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie said the majority of the city's Common Council believes that Councilman Ramon Fernandez should resign from his position following his alleged conduct with embattled Peekskill City Court Judge Reginald J. Johnson.
According to a report by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which filed formal charges against Johnson in August, Fernandez used his close relationship with the judge to influence him to dismiss a traffic ticket issued to his friend, Mateo Piragua, in 2018.
The report details that after Fernandez met with Johnson and told him the ticket was unjust and that Piragua was a good person, the judge dismissed the ticket off the record, outside the presence of all parties involved, and without consent from the Peekskill City Prosecutor and Police Department.
As a result of the commission's report, Johnson announced he would resign his position on Monday, Sept. 30, and never attempt to return to Peekskill as a judge.
According to McKenzie, the Common Council reviewed Fernandez's sworn testimony and now believes it is in the best interest of the city that he resigns from his position.
The matter was also referred to the Peekskill Board of Ethics so they could investigate the possible ethical violation. McKenzie said that Fernandez may have violated Code Section 48-3(L), which states that no city official shall use his or her official position to give or secure privileges or exemptions for themselves or others.
"The Common Council and I take this matter very seriously and will continue to work for our constituents with integrity," McKenzie wrote.
The commission's report also names Peekskill Superintendent David Mauricio, saying that he asked Johnson to dismiss a speeding ticket he was issued in 2019. Johnson dismissed the ticket in February 2020.
This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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