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Andre Wallace

Politics
Who Did You Vote For On Election Day In Westchester? Who Did You Vote For On Election Day In Westchester?
Who Did You Vote For On Election Day In Westchester? Many local municipalities held elections for town supervisors, village and city mayors, council members and judges on Tuesday, Nov. 5.  Westchester County legislators also were up for re-election. Several towns had local propositions on their ballots. For expanded coverage of politics, schools and lifestyle, visit Daily Voice Plus With the onset of "early voting" in New York state, registered voters were able to cast votes since Friday, Oct. 26. Additional details about candidates on the ballot can be found by clicking here.  Towns and Villages Across Westchester, Democrats enj…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Serial Automobile Larceny Suspect Busted In Westchester Serial Automobile Larceny Suspect Busted In Westchester
Serial Automobile Larceny Suspect Busted In Westchester A man who allegedly has broken into multiple vehicles in Westchester was taken into police custody following an investigation that featured the use of social media and doorbell cameras throughout the city. In recent weeks, the Mount Vernon Police Department has noted an uptick in reports of thefts from vehicles, prompting an investigation, Mayor Andre Wallace said. In several videos shared from Ring devices, it appeared that the same person was suspected of checking car doors and entering parked vehicles.  As a result of this feedback, additional officers were deployed to strategic loc…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Westchester Teacher Who Hosted Mock Slave Auction Will Not Return To Mount Vernon Westchester Teacher Who Hosted Mock Slave Auction Will Not Return To Mount Vernon
Westchester Teacher Who Hosted Mock Slave Auction Will Not Return To Mount Vernon The Mount Vernon School District is hitting the brakes after coming under fire for hiring a teacher who was fired earlier this year for holding a mock slave auction with students. The district is reversing course after hiring Rebecca Antinozzi, a former fifth-grade teacher at the Chapel School in Bronxville who was fired after a parent accused her of staging mock slave auctions. The parent alleged that African-American students were placed in imaginary chains and were bid on by other students. Antinozzi was reportedly hired last week to teach at the Cecil H. Parker Elementary School with …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
New Turn In Mount Vernon's Mayoral Musical Chairs: Judge's Ruling Results In Change New Turn In Mount Vernon's Mayoral Musical Chairs: Judge's Ruling Results In Change
New Turn In Mount Vernon's Mayoral Musical Chairs: Judge's Ruling Results In Change The lengthy game of musical chairs over who ultimately lands in the mayor’s seat in Mount Vernon may have come to a merciful end after more than five weeks of debate. A state judge has determined that Andre Wallace is the mayor of Mount Vernon, and will stay in that seat through the remainder of the year. "Today a Supreme Court Judge ruled in favor of me," Wallace said. "I assumed the role of acting mayor the moment former-Mayor Richard Thomas took a plea deal. No action to change city council leadership changes that." The ruling ends 37 days of mayoral mayhem over who was actually in char…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
City Council Puts Copeland In Command, But Wallace Claims He's Still Acting Mount Vernon Mayor City Council Puts Copeland In Command, But Wallace Claims He's Still Acting Mount Vernon Mayor
City Council Puts Copeland In Command, But Wallace Claims He's Still Acting Mount Vernon Mayor Is the third time the charm? After weeks of mayoral musical chairs, the controversies surrounding who’s in charge in Mount Vernon took another twist. The Mount Vernon City Council ousted Andre Wallace from the position of acting mayor and replaced him with Interim City Council President Lisa Copeland days after he was awarded the position when former Mayor Richard Thomas’ injunction to stay in office was rejected by a judge. On Friday, Aug. 2, the Council then voted by a 4 to 1 margin to make Copeland the third mayor to take office in less than a month. According to the city'…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayoral Musical Chairs: Mount Vernon City Council Ousts Wallace, Names Copeland Mayoral Musical Chairs: Mount Vernon City Council Ousts Wallace, Names Copeland
Mayoral Musical Chairs: Mount Vernon City Council Ousts Wallace, Names Copeland The wild and wacky Mount Vernon mayoral musical chairs odyssey took another turn. The Mount Vernon City Council ousted Andre Wallace from the position of acting mayor and replaced him with Interim City Council President Lisa Copeland. The vote was reportedly by a 4 to 1 margin and makes Copeland the third person to sit in the mayor’s seat in less than a month. The carousel began on Monday, July 8, when former Mayor Richard Thomas pleaded guilty to misappropriating nearly $13,000 in campaign funds and then went on to lie about them on government papers. He was originally scheduled…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Another New Mayor? Mount Vernon City Council Considers Replacing Andre Wallace Another New Mayor? Mount Vernon City Council Considers Replacing Andre Wallace
Another New Mayor? Mount Vernon City Council Considers Replacing Andre Wallace Click here for an updated story: Mayoral Musical Chairs: Mount Vernon City Council Ousts Wallace, Names Copeland Just when we thought it might have been over. ... Following weeks of mayoral mayhem inside Mount Vernon City Hall, the City Council is now reportedly considering replacing acting Mayor Andre Wallace. The City Council held a special meeting on Friday, Aug. 2 with the intention to potentially oust Wallace and replace him with former City Council President Lisa Copeland. Former Mayor Richard Thomas took Wallace to court and on Wednesday, July 31, a judge ruled against him…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayoral Mayhem May Be Over: Richard Thomas Moves Out Of Mount Vernon Office Mayoral Mayhem May Be Over: Richard Thomas Moves Out Of Mount Vernon Office
Mayoral Mayhem May Be Over: Richard Thomas Moves Out Of Mount Vernon Office Nearly a month of mayoral mayhem appears to be over as the dust settles following a judge’s ruling over who’s in charge in Mount Vernon. A judge ruled against former Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas’ request for an injunction that would allow him to remain in office through the end of September after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor corruption charges. Late on Wednesday, July 31, hours after the judge’s ruling, Thomas was spotted clearing out of the mayor’s office while a city marshal stood by. A U-Haul truck was reportedly loaded with multiple items, which were delivered to the former may…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Judge Determines Who Is In Charge As Mount Vernon's Mayor Judge Determines Who Is In Charge As Mount Vernon's Mayor
Judge Determines Who Is In Charge As Mount Vernon's Mayor A judge has reportedly ruled against former Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas’ request for an injunction that would allow him to remain in office following his guilty plea to misdemeanor corruption charges. A hearing determined that Thomas is no longer the mayor, following a month of political strife and chaos at City Hall. Acting Mayor Andre Wallace officially took over following the decision on Wednesday, July 31. On Monday, July 8, Thomas pleaded guilty to misappropriating nearly $13,000 in campaign funds and then proceeded to lie about them on government papers. Two days after that plea…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Acting Mount Vernon Mayor Bailed Out 'Major Drug Kingpin' For $1M, Richard Thomas Claims Acting Mount Vernon Mayor Bailed Out 'Major Drug Kingpin' For $1M, Richard Thomas Claims
Acting Mount Vernon Mayor Bailed Out 'Major Drug Kingpin' For $1M, Richard Thomas Claims Acting Mount Vernon Mayor Andre Wallace is dismissing statements from outgoing Mayor Richard Thomas over reports he bailed out a “major drug kingpin for $1 million.” In an email blast late in the afternoon on Tuesday, July 30, Thomas, who has been at the center of a chaotic situation at City Hall for nearly a month, alleged that Wallace “mortgaged ($1 million) worth of his Mount Vernon real estate empire” to bail out Jose Luperon, who was prosecuted for selling crack-cocaine. Luperon and his brother, Omar, were charged with operating as a major trafficker, also known as the “drug kingpin” …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Federal Charges Dropped Against Former Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Federal Charges Dropped Against Former Mount Vernon Police Commissioner
Federal Charges Dropped Against Former Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Amid the chaos in Mount Vernon City Hall, as politicians joust over who's in charge, former Police Commissioner Robert Kelly saw a federal judge dismiss charges brought against him by former Mayor Richard Thomas. In April 2018, a lawsuit was filed in federal court against Kelly and 22 others in a “broad conspiracy to defraud the city, during a time that encompassed a period of years when Kelly was not even employed by the city,” the former commissioner announced on Wednesday, July 31 after the charges against him were dismissed. Kelly stated that attorneys for Thomas asked to have the lawsu…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Richard Thomas Seeks Restraining Order In Battle Over Who's Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas Seeks Restraining Order In Battle Over Who's Mount Vernon Mayor
Richard Thomas Seeks Restraining Order In Battle Over Who's Mount Vernon Mayor The battle over who is in charge of Mount Vernon is heading to the State Supreme Court. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas and Andre Wallace, who was appointed acting mayor by the city council, will have their fates determined by a judge as they continue debating who is the actual mayor of one of New York’s largest cities. Thomas is currently seeking a restraining order that would block Wallace from performing mayoral duties and would nullify any actions taken by him, the City Council and City Comptroller Deborah Reynolds in the weeks the two have been jostling for power. On Monday, July 8…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
NY Post Calls On Cuomo To Remove Mount Vernon Mayor NY Post Calls On Cuomo To Remove Mount Vernon Mayor
NY Post Calls On Cuomo To Remove Mount Vernon Mayor The New York Post is calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to “end the Third World-like political chaos” that has overwhelmed Mount Vernon. For months, Mount Vernon City Hall has been in chaos, with the City Council, President Andre Wallace and Comptroller battling Mayor Richard Thomas. On Monday, July 8, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas pleaded guilty to fourth-degree attempted grand larceny and second-degree offering a false statement for filing. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to resign from office as of Monday, Sept. 30. Two days later, on Wednesday, July 10, the Mount Vernon City Council …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Thomas Got His Last Paycheck, Is Officially Out As Mayor, Mount Vernon Comptroller Says Thomas Got His Last Paycheck, Is Officially Out As Mayor, Mount Vernon Comptroller Says
Thomas Got His Last Paycheck, Is Officially Out As Mayor, Mount Vernon Comptroller Says The chaos at Mount Vernon City Hall may be coming to a resolution as the battle over the mayor's chair has hit a new chapter. Friday, July 19 was payday for city employees, though only one of the two men claiming to be mayor received a full paycheck, with acting Mayor Andre Wallace earning a full check, while Mayor Richard Thomas was reportedly paid for only a few days as he continues questioning his ousting. On Monday, July 8, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas pleaded guilty to fourth-degree attempted grand larceny and second-degree offering a false statement for filing. As part of his ple…

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by Zak Failla
News
Court Appearance Postponed For Police Commissioner Arrested By His Own Officers In Mount Vernon Court Appearance Postponed For Police Commissioner Arrested By His Own Officers In Mount Vernon
Court Appearance Postponed For Police Commissioner Arrested By His Own Officers In Mount Vernon Newly sworn-in Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Shawn Harris will have his day in court, it's just been postponed. Harris, who was reappointed by acting Mayor Andrew Wallace on this week, was arrested during his first day on the job while attempting to enter police headquarters and he was reportedly charged with criminal trespassing. Harris had been scheduled to make a court appearance on Thursday, July 18, but that court date was postponed because no formal charges have officially been filed, according to his lawyer. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr.’s office ann…

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by Zak Failla
News
Police Commissioner Arrested By His Own Officers In Mount Vernon Due To Appear In Court Police Commissioner Arrested By His Own Officers In Mount Vernon Due To Appear In Court
Police Commissioner Arrested By His Own Officers In Mount Vernon Due To Appear In Court The newly sworn-in police commissioner in Mount Vernon - who was arrested in City Hall this week and detained for nine hours - is scheduled to appear in court. Former Police Commissioner Shawn Harris was reappointed as the Commissioner of Public Safety in charge of the Mount Vernon Police Department by acting Mayor Andre Wallace, amid controversies at City Hall about whether Wallace or Mayor Richard Thomas is in charge of the city. On Tuesday, July 16, Harris was taken into police custody while attempting to enter police headquarters and he was charged with criminal trespassing. Harris is …

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by Zak Failla
News
DA Orders Release After Police Commissioner Named By Mount Vernon City Council Charged DA Orders Release After Police Commissioner Named By Mount Vernon City Council Charged
DA Orders Release After Police Commissioner Named By Mount Vernon City Council Charged It took an order from the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office to release the newly reappointed top cop in Mount Vernon from custody. On Monday, July 15, former police commissioner Shawn Harris was reappointed as the Commissioner of Public Safety in charge of the Mount Vernon Police Department by acting Mayor Andre Wallace, despite the protestations of Mayor Richard Thomas, who has refused to step away from office. However, the following day, Tuesday, July 16, Harris was taken into police custody at Mount Vernon Police Headquarters. Harris was in custody for approximately nine ho…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
New Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Reportedly Taken Into Custody Amid City Hall Chaos New Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Reportedly Taken Into Custody Amid City Hall Chaos
New Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Reportedly Taken Into Custody Amid City Hall Chaos As the city teeters on the brink, chaos continues to reign supreme at Mount Vernon City Hall, with the latest twist being the newly appointed police commissioner reportedly being taken into custody. On Monday, July 15, former police commissioner Shawn Harris was reappointed as the Commissioner of Public Safety in charge of the Mount Vernon Police Department by acting Mayor Andre Wallace. However, the following day, Harris was taken into police custody at Mount Vernon Police Headquarters, according to a lohud report. It is unclear if Harris has been formally arrested or charged. Wallace an…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
City Hall Chaos: Turmoil, Uncertainty Continue In Unprecedented Mount Vernon Mayoral Dustup City Hall Chaos: Turmoil, Uncertainty Continue In Unprecedented Mount Vernon Mayoral Dustup
City Hall Chaos: Turmoil, Uncertainty Continue In Unprecedented Mount Vernon Mayoral Dustup Chaos continues to reign supreme inside Mount Vernon City Hall, as the unprecedented controversy over who sits in the mayor’s seat rages into its second week. Last week, on Monday, July 8, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas pleaded guilty to fourth-degree attempted grand larceny and second-degree offering a false statement for filing. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to resign from office as of Monday, Sept. 30. Two days later, on Wednesday, July 10, the Mount Vernon City Council unanimously voted on legislation to remove Thomas from office immediately, giving him 24 hours to vacate City …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mount Vernon City Council Orders Richard Thomas To Leave Mayor's Office Within 24 Hours Mount Vernon City Council Orders Richard Thomas To Leave Mayor's Office Within 24 Hours
Mount Vernon City Council Orders Richard Thomas To Leave Mayor's Office Within 24 Hours Mount Vernon Mayor Thomas may be out of office sooner than expected as the City Council is forcing him to leave his post after his criminal convictions earlier this week. On Monday, July 8, Thomas pleaded guilty to a pair of misdemeanor charges and agreed to resign from his office as of Monday, Sept. 30. However, in a surprising move, on Wednesday, July 10, the Mount Vernon City Council unanimously voted on legislation to remove Thomas from office and swore in his successor, City Council President Andre Wallace, as the interim mayor, while Councilwoman Janice Duarte became the council …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Too Close To Call: Mount Vernon Mayoral Democratic Primary Outcome Still Uncertain Too Close To Call: Mount Vernon Mayoral Democratic Primary Outcome Still Uncertain
Too Close To Call: Mount Vernon Mayoral Democratic Primary Outcome Still Uncertain The hotly contested Mount Vernon mayoral Democratic primary race is coming down to the wire. Former Mount Vernon City Planning Commissioner Shawyn Patterson-Howard narrowly edged out Mayor Richard Thomas by approximately 200 votes following the primary on Tuesday, June 25, according to the unofficial results from the Westchester County Board of Elections. However, absentee votes and other ballots still need to be counted, which means the official result may not be known for another week. Following Tuesday’s primary, Patterson-Howard was named on 2,355 ballots, ahead of Thomas with 2,151 vo…

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by Zak Failla
News
With Garbage Piling Up, Trash Pickup Resumes In Mount Vernon With Garbage Piling Up, Trash Pickup Resumes In Mount Vernon
With Garbage Piling Up, Trash Pickup Resumes In Mount Vernon Garbage is piling up on Mount Vernon streets as DPW crews were grounded for the second straight day due to a lack of fuel, though trash pickup is expected to resume Wednesday. According to Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas, the city was down to approximately 800 gallons of fuel for the city’s fleet on Tuesday, June 4, before receiving a new supply. Thomas said that garbage pickup will resume on Wednesday, June 5. DPW crews will begin garbage pickup citywide beginning at 6 a.m. and Thomas vowed that they will run until "all the trash from all sides of Mount Vernon in one shot.” DPW Commis…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
City Council Demands Top Mount Vernon City Lawyer Steps Down After Indictment City Council Demands Top Mount Vernon City Lawyer Steps Down After Indictment
City Council Demands Top Mount Vernon City Lawyer Steps Down After Indictment City officials in Mount Vernon are calling on their top attorney to step down after he was indicted for allegedly using Water Department funds to help pay for Mayor Richard Thomas’ criminal defense legal team and hire a public relations firm. Lawrence Porcari Jr., the city’s Corporation Counsel pleaded not guilty in Westchester County Court on Wednesday, May 29, to a felony charge of first-degree corrupting the government. He allegedly was involved in using $365,000 from the city’s water department to assist the mayor. Porcari was also charged with one count of grand larceny as a crime of p…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Ousted Police Deputy Commissioner Still Has City SUV, Badge, Officials Claim Ousted Police Deputy Commissioner Still Has City SUV, Badge, Officials Claim
Ousted Police Deputy Commissioner Still Has City SUV, Badge, Officials Claim Former Mount Vernon Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Spiezio, who was unceremoniously ousted from his position last month, reportedly is still in possession of his police shield and a city-owned SUV. Spiezio was stopped on Webster Avenue in New Rochelle at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3, police said. He was driving a city-owned Chevrolet Suburban - which has been a point of contention amongst Mount Vernon officials - and using a siren to drive by other cars. Despite being out of a city job, Spiezio, who resigned from his $1 salary and serves as an advisor to Mayor Richard Thoma…

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by Zak Failla
News
Dozens Of DPW Trucks Vandalized In Westchester Before Snowstorm Dozens Of DPW Trucks Vandalized In Westchester Before Snowstorm
Dozens Of DPW Trucks Vandalized In Westchester Before Snowstorm Department of Public Works employees received an unwelcome surprise on Tuesday morning when they went to go to work, and it wasn’t snow. Police are investigating vandalism at the Mount Vernon DPW garage after workers found that the city’s snowplows, salt, garbage and sewer trucks had been sabotaged overnight. According to police, one or more suspects are believed to have entered the Canal Street garage between 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11 and 5 a.m. the following morning and stuffed latex gloves into the tanks of the municipal trucks. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas said the va…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayor In Westchester Scheduled To Appear In Court For Criminal Case Mayor In Westchester Scheduled To Appear In Court For Criminal Case
Mayor In Westchester Scheduled To Appear In Court For Criminal Case Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is scheduled to appear in court for his first appearance since being arraigned in May on charges claiming he stole campaign funds and failed to disclose his use of inaugural funds during his initial run for office. Thomas is due in Westchester County Court on Friday, where he will answer charges that include grand larceny and filing a false instrument after being accused of stealing more than $12,000 from Friends of Richard Thomas, his campaign committee when he ran for mayor three years ago. He is also accused of allegedly failing to report nearly $50,000 t…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayor In Westchester Seeks To Have Corruption Indictment Dismissed Mayor In Westchester Seeks To Have Corruption Indictment Dismissed
Mayor In Westchester Seeks To Have Corruption Indictment Dismissed Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is seeking dismissal of an indictment claiming that he stole campaign funds and failed to disclose his use of inaugural funds during his initial run for office. Thomas was arraigned on felony corruption charges on March 12 that included 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 mayor was scheduled to appear before a Westchester County grand jury last month, but failed to do so. According to a lohud report, Thomas failed t…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Arraigned In County Court Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Arraigned In County Court
Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Arraigned In County Court Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas has pleaded not guilty to the latest charges levied against him in Westchester County Court. At his arraignment Friday morning, Thomas pleaded not guilty to four felony counts of grand larceny that claim he allegedly stole from his campaign fund while running for office several years ago. He was indicted by a grand jury last week. Thomas was arrested on felony corruption charges on March 12 that included 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 fil…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayor In Westchester Denies Stealing Thousands In Campaign Funds Mayor In Westchester Denies Stealing Thousands In Campaign Funds
Mayor In Westchester Denies Stealing Thousands In Campaign Funds Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas has denied the new charges against him that claim he allegedly stole thousands of dollars in campaign funds when running for office three years ago. A day after he was indicted by a grand jury for allegedly stealing campaign funds and failing to disclose funds that he used for personal expenses., Thomas' attorney Randall Jackson issued a statement vehemently denying the new charges, and saying that they look forward to the truth coming out. “We are looking forward to addressing the numerous problems with this investigation and prosecution in court," he…

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by Zak Failla
News
Embattled Westchester Mayor Indicted By Grand Jury On Larceny Charges Embattled Westchester Mayor Indicted By Grand Jury On Larceny Charges
Embattled Westchester Mayor Indicted By Grand Jury On Larceny Charges Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas has been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly stealing campaign funds and failing to disclose funds that he used for personal expenses. Thomas was arraigned on felony corruption charges on March 12 that included 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 mayor is now accused of stealing more than $12,000 from Friends of Richard Thomas, his campaign committee when he ran for mayor three years ago. He is also accused of al…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayor In Westchester Denies Criminal Campaign Corruption Allegations Mayor In Westchester Denies Criminal Campaign Corruption Allegations
Mayor In Westchester Denies Criminal Campaign Corruption Allegations Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas vehemently denied any wrongdoing after being arraigned on corruption charges on Monday. During a brief press conference outside Mount Vernon City Hall on Monday, Thomas denied any allegations after being accused of misappropriating thousands of dollars in funds from his campaign committee. “The allegations are not true, and I want to reassure the people of Mount Vernon that this has nothing to do with my service in office, as it relates to the campaign,” he said. “I have great confidence in our legal system and I have no doubt that we will be able to prove …

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by Zak Failla