$1.5M Lawsuit From Business Against Mount Vernon Is ‘Meritless,’ Mayor Says

Hours after the owners of a popular Mount Vernon bakery formally announced plans to file a $1.5 million lawsuit against the city, Mayor Richard Thomas released a statement calling the action "meritless." On Thursday, lawyers from Lauren P. Raysor, who will be representing Miesha Stokely and Montika Jones, the co-owners of Cupcake Cutie Boutique, announced that they will be issuing a notice of claim, stating that the summer shutdown caused "harm to reputation, emotional distress and the loss of business."

Mount Vernon Mayor 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.

Mount Vernon Mayor 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.

Mount Vernon Mayor 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.

Embattled Mount Vernon 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.

Mount Vernon Mayor Vehemently Denies He Violated State Education Laws

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas called allegations that he collected more than $100,000 while serving as a trustee at a city charter school "factually wrong, grossly negligent and morally bankrupt," in a statement released late on Thursday afternoon. The Mount Vernon Board of Ethics levied a claim against Thomas this week, stating that he collected more than $100,000 as a trustee at Amani Public Charter School - where he has served since 2011 - which would be in violation of New York State education laws, which state that trustees cannot be compensated for their work.

Mount Vernon Mayor: Corruption ‘Allegations Are Merely Accusations’

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is claiming that the criminal charges that were brought against him on Monday are "technical in nature relating to Election Law," and are "merely accusations with no supporting evidence." New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman formally announced charges against Thomas on Monday afternoon, after an investigation exposed that he allegedly stole $12,900 from his campaign committee and diverted more than $45,000 from his inaugural committee for personal use and failed to disclose that information to officials.

Mount Vernon Mayor Used Campaign Funds As ‘Personal Piggy Bank,’ AG Says

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is facing multiple felonies after he allegedly stole campaign funds and lied about money he diverted from his inaugural committee for personal benefit. New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman formally announced charges against Thomas on Monday afternoon, after an investigation exposed that he allegedly stole $12,900 from his campaign committee and diverted more than $45,000 from his inaugural committee for personal use and failed to disclose that information to officials.

Mount Vernon Mayor Used Campaign Funds As ‘Personal Piggybank,’ AG Says

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is facing multiple felonies after he allegedly stole campaign funds and lied about money he diverted from his inaugural committee for personal benefit. New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman formally announced charges against Thomas on Monday afternoon, after an investigation exposed that he allegedly stole $12,900 from his campaign committee and diverted more than $45,000 from his inaugural committee for personal use and failed to disclose that information to officials.

Mount Vernon Mayor Facing Criminal Corruption Charges, Reports Say

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.

Mount Vernon Mayor ‘Rallies For Reform’ With Students To End Gun Violence

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas hosted a "Rally for Reform" event at City Hall over the weekend in an effort to urge national lawmakers to address gun violence "in a serious and effective way." The "Rally for Reform, March for Our Lives" event was held on Saturday at City Hall, where Thomas rallied with local students in advance of a bus trip to an anti-violence rally in Washington, D.C. later this month.

Mount Vernon Mayor, Clergy, To Say ‘No More!’ To Trump

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas and the city's clergy are calling on the community to say "no more" to President Donald Trump's "hateful remarks," with a petition that they plan to deliver to the White House. Thomas and members of the clergy "from all walks of faith will unite to say 'No More!'" and call on Trump to apologize for recent remarks with a change.org petition that will kick off at 11 a.m. on Tuesday following remarks from the mayor at Mount Vernon City Hall.

With Temperatures Plummeting, Mount Vernon Designates Warming Centers

With temperatures continuing to plummet and icy conditions continuing in the Hudson Valley, Mount Vernon has opened several warming centers throughout the city to help those in need brave the cold. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas announced that the city will designate several locations around the city as warming centers for the next few days as the area battles the frigid temperatures.

Mount Vernon Mayor ‘Deeply Concerned About The City’s Fiscal Future’

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas said he is "deeply concerned about the city's fiscal future" as it faces "potentially hefty fines" from the United States Department of Justice. Thomas issued a lengthy statement this week regarding Mount Vernon's fiscal future, which is facing cuts to education and the loss of property tax deductions due to the federal tax overhaul.

Mount Vernon Partnership With Microsoft Sees Public Safety Improvements

Earlier this year, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas announced Project Bright Knight - named after the school's mascot - a collaboration with Microsoft to acquire and utilize new technology and tools to combat crime. Phase one of the proposal includes investments to develop a mobile, community-based application that would allow users to report events and situations in real-time.

Mount Vernon Mayor Calls On City Officials To Modernize Money Handling

As i nternal strife continues to run rampant in City Hall over the purchase of a luxury SUV and reported funding the school district missed out on , Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is calling on city officials to modernize the way officials handle money. The school district missed out on thousands of dollars because a check for more than $4.5 million in school taxes sat on Thomas' desk while he and Comptroller Maureen Walker continue to go back-and-forth over a $70,000 vehicle purchase, according to a lohud report .

Mount Vernon Mayor Calls On City Officials To Modernize Money Handling

As i nternal strife continues to run rampant in City Hall over the purchase of a luxury SUV and reported funding the school district missed out on , Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is calling on city officials to modernize the way officials handle money. The school district missed out on thousands of dollars because a check for more than $4.5 million in school taxes sat on Thomas' desk while he and Comptroller Maureen Walker continue to go back-and-forth over a $70,000 vehicle purchase, according to a lohud report .

Mount Vernon Proposed $118M Budget Includes Additional Police, Firefighters

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas has proposed a near $120 million budget that would see increases to civil services and raises for members of his office. This week, the $118,302,255 million budget was released to the community, representing a potential 4.87 percent property tax percent increase for homeowners, less than $20 per month on average per household.

Mount Vernon Mayor Calls On City Council To Add Police Positions

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas called out the City Council regarding police staffing after thousands of dollars were raised in the memory of Shamoya McKenzie, the 13-year-old girls basketball star who was shot and killed in the city on New Year's Eve. The Shamoya McKenzie Foundation, which was created earlier this year following the teenager's death, hosted its inaugural event at the Eastwood Manor in the Bronx over the weekend, raising thousands to fulfill the organizations mission of engaging the youth of different communities in physical and educational activities and workshops that aid the awareness and prevention of gun violence.

Mount Vernon Officials Aid In Bust Of Cigarette Sellers Linked To Terrorism

The Mount Vernon Corporation Counsel offered a helping hand recently in busting an "out of state" cigarette selling operation that may have been funding terrorist groups overseas. The Mount Vernon Corporation Counsel assisted Consumer Protection Officer Michael Paulercio last week in busting the cigarette selling operation, confiscating thousands of cigarettes that were being sold illegally without New York State tax stamps.

Mount Vernon Officials Aid In Bust Of Cigarette Sellers Linked To Terrorism

The Mount Vernon Corporation Counsel offered a helping hand recently in busting an "out of state" cigarette selling operation that may have been funding terrorist groups overseas. The Mount Vernon Corporation Counsel assisted Consumer Protection Officer Michael Paulercio last week in busting the cigarette selling operation, confiscating thousands of cigarettes that were being sold illegally without New York State tax stamps.

Mount Vernon Dedicates Park To Slain Teenage Girls Basketball Player

Officials in Mount Vernon dedicated a park to the memory of Shamoya McKenzie, the 13-year-old girls basketball star who was shot and killed in the city on New Year's Eve. On Thursday, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas and Schools Superintendent Richard Hamilton were joined by friends and family of McKenzie's as they dedicated a city park to the slain teenager, who was allegedly gunned down by 22-year-old David Hardy.

Heat Advisory Issued In Mount Vernon As Temperatures Spike

With temperatures expected to exceed 90 degrees in the Hudson Valley this week, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas has announced a heat advisory for residents. According to the National Weather Service , temperatures in Mount Vernon are expected to peak at approximately 95 degrees on Monday and Tuesday before thunderstorms make their way to the region and break up the heat wave late on Tuesday afternoon.

Mount Vernon Mayor Thomas Named In $10 Million Lawsuit From Half-Brother

The hits keep coming for Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas, whose half-brother is reportedly suing the city for millions of dollars after being sentenced to probation on federal gun charges. Henry-George Thomas is claiming that city officials have refused to reinstate him as a firefighter and he is owed additional damages for "pain and suffering, mental anguish, future impairment and the loss of enjoyment of life," according to a lohud report .

Mount Vernon Mayor’s Vision For Memorial Field Gets National Attention

The United States Conference of Mayors has reportedly taken a special interest in Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas' ambitious plans to revitalize Memorial Field. Last year, Thomas' office released his " Mount Vernon Playbook ," which outlined his plans for the once vibrant and lively recreation hub, and has since been meeting with the community as they discuss the best steps to take as they move forward with revitalization efforts.

Mount Vernon Mayor Retaliated Against Developer, Lawsuit Says

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas has been accused of holding up a major project because the developer wouldn't hire his friend as a consultant, according to a report by lohud.com. Peter Fine of New York City-based Blue Rio LLC filed a lawsuit in federal court Monday claiming Thomas and city administrators have been harassing him and are enforcing the building code in an unfair and unconstitutional way, the lohud.com report said.

Mount Vernon City Councilman Ken Griffiths calls for investigation…

A Mount Vernon city councilman is calling for an investigation of the police department after learning there were just eight uniformed officers safeguarding the city A Mount Vernon city councilman is calling for an investigation of the police department after learning there were just eight uniformed officers safeguarding the city when a drive-by shooting claimed the life of 13-year-old Shamoya McKenzie. MOUNT VERNON - A Mount Vernon city councilman is calling for an investigation of the police department after learning there were just eight uniformed officers safeguarding the city when a drive-by shooting claimed the life of 13-year-old Shamoya McKenzie.

Mount Vernon Water Saving Programs Creates Jobs For Plumbers, Contractors

A program to create jobs for local tradespeople has been announced by Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas and the city's Water Commissioner, Anthony Della Mura, Sr. An informational session about this "Water Savings Program" was held Monday by the Mount Vernon Board of Water Supply. It is expected to save money and create jobs, according to Thomas.

Mount Vernon Mayor Thomas Celebrates Local Veterans

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas took time on Veteran's Day to thank and celebrate the men and women have have and are currently serving in the armed services. On the steps of City Hall on Friday afternoon, flanked by several local dignitaries, Thomas hosted a citywide celebration that was attended by several Mount Vernon veterans.