Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee Chairman Devereaux Cannick
Alleged Lobbyist/Consultant
James (Jamie) Dickerson
Kenneth Plummer of Kensworth Consulting
Alleged Lobbyist/Consultant
Last week Mount Vernon Exposed reported that Atlantic Development is proposing to build several low income skyscrapers on Gramatan Ave. This particular development project is receiving extra scrutiny because it is alleged that Democratic Chairman Devereaux Cannick, Kenneth Plummer, and James (Jamie) Dickerson have joined forces to create a lobbying and/or consulting firm to expedite Atlantic Development’s construction project through City Hall. It could not be determined if Mayor Young is any financial compensation from the above mentioned persons.
Mount Vernon Exposed has conducted an investigation into the developer Atlantic Development and our findings were very disturbing. Atlantic Development is the focus of a probe by the Manhattan District Attorney office for bribery and for employing undocumented workers for their construction projects.
Atlantic Development is no stranger to pay to play politics. During the Daily News probe, it was uncovered that Atlantic Development paid over $12K to a lobbying firm in NYC to expedite a buildings permit for project under construction. Atlantic Development also contributed more than $52,000 to former Bronx borough President Adolpho Carrion for his blessing for zoning changing among other items in connection with a massive affordable housing project at Boricua College. The particular project is the center of the probe by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
Peter Fine, co-owner of Atlantic Development appeared personally before the City Council last week and spoke as if he was doing the City of Mount Vernon a favor by coming north of the city line and bribing Mount Vernon officials. Many residents spoke loud and clear that Atlantic Development and their low income housing is not welcome in Mount Vernon. It is also speculated that Cannick, Plummer, and Dickerson are lobbying to get Atlantic Development a PILOT deal with the City of Mount Vernon.
SOME POSITIONS NOT RESTORED TO 2010 PROPOSED BUDGET
ECONOMICS, RETALIATION OR POLITICS?
Mayor Clinton Young may be trying to pull a fast one in order to sway public opinion back his way. Last Wednesday his office put out a frantic press release emphatically stating that he is against any proposal increasing tax liability beyond 3.99 percent for fiscal year 2010 and accused the Comptroller and the City Council President of obstructing the budget process progress.
By now most citizens have heard or read that City Councilman Bill Randolph did a 180 during last week's Board of Estimate and Contract meeting. After voting in favor of the 2010 Proposed Annual Budget for the City of Mount Vernon only weeks before, he suddenly decided that the document needed further study before the Board of Estimate and Contract officially voted in favor of it in so the document could hurredly go to the City Council for Public Hearing and approval. Both Councilman Randolph and Comptroller Walker refused to vote on Mayor Young's revisions to the original document presented at the Public Hearing of December 16, 2009. The revisions failed to restore some positions that are needed by departments or could expose taxpayers to liability from lawsuits.
According to the mayor's press release, 10 positions were restored to the budget. Of the 15 not restored, RoadRunner has identified the following positions that may trigger legal action by affected employees. Citizens need to fully understand that funds to defend current and potential claims have been under budgeted and the city's reserves have been tapped, maying any potential claims financially burdening.
A1420.101 1st Assistant Corporation Counsel
Employee removal from budget is said to be in retaliation for employee running a campaign against the Mayor's choice for City Court Judge. Although employee is alleged to be one of the most productive attorneys in the Law Department and is responsible for saving taxpayers millions of dollars, Mayor Young considers employee untrustworthy.
A1315.101 Chief Accountant, Department Finance
Retaliation against Comptroller Maureen Walker's refusal to transfer one of two Chief Accountants (Civil Service employee) to the office of Mayor Young's sister, Mary Young in the Department of Management Services.
A1410.101 Deputy Registrar, Office of the City Clerk
It is alleged that appointed employee's significant other had harassment charges filed against him after attempting to speak with George Brown regarding harsh treatment of employee by Mr. Brown. The City Clerk is now said to have an order of protection in effect against him by the gentleman in question.
A3640.101 Typist, Civil Defense
Employee is senior citizen nearing retirement who was assigned work for Civil Defense Department and Veterans Service Agency in Civil Service position.
A7020.101 Senior Clerk, Recreation
Employee, Civil Service Union officer, allegedly retaliated against for addressing alleged improprieties occurring within the Civil Service Commission.
Any revision to the Proposed 2010 Budget must be made available for public inspection once those changes are made. The public has to be given the opportunity to review any and all revisions that the City Council will vote upon after its public hearing. There is no doubt that the City of Mount Vernon has failed miserably in advising to the public on the 2010 Budget process and has failed to post timely notices regarding meetings. RoadRunner has been unable to obtain a copy changes because no revised document seems to have been made for public inspection.
Sudden commonsense thinking on the part of Councilman Bill Randolph, whether the result of the large turnout of citizens and employees at the Public Hearing of December 16th; the upcoming court appearance on a citizen filed Order to Show Cause on Budget meeting notification; rumors of the Councilman being considered for the City Clerk position or as the new head of the Democratic Party has worked to the advantage of citizens. Councilman Randolph finally shut up and did something in the best interest of the citizens of Mount Vernon. He said, "No" and the mayor went ballistic. Something is seriously wrong when a mayor refuses to do the right thing because his feelings have been hurt, he can't get what he wants or because he is so vindictive that he doesn't care about anyone other than himself.
Mayor Young, in predictable fashion, is said to be appointing one of his faithful followers to the Mount Vernon Board of Water Supply, which coincidentally doesn't have a cash register connected to the Comptroller's Office. It has been suggested that the mayor's loyal assistant Brian Bochow will be heading off to that position straight from his Mayoral Assistant job. Mr. Bochow certainly holds a favorable position with the mayor. His trip to Italy was paid for (through reimbursement) from Young's campaign funds. The rumor that Yolanda Robinson may be going to the Police Department is so ridiculously unbelievable that it may very well be true given the comedy of errors being written for the last two years at city hall. Bochow, along with Robinson, have quickly moved up the city hall executive ranks. Prior to their city hall jackpot win they were both legislative aides at the County Board of Legislators. The two of them worked hard on the County payroll to get Mayor Young elected. The old adage, "it's not what you know but who you know" and possibly what tidbits you and others know but nobody else needs to know, may be the reason for their meteoric rise.
Councilman Randolph's sudden spate of bravado carried him to the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee meeting of Thursday December 17th where he stood before membership and echoed David Ford's call for the resignation of Mayor Young's Party leadership. The Councilman must steel himself in order to face the mayor's double dose of wrath. The good councilman will now feel the sting of unjustness from Young's retaliation for doing that which he has a right and responsibility to do; disagree on behalf of that which is in the best interests of the people he was elected to serve. Councilman Randolph surely experienced some kind of humiliation when Mayor Young sent out his negative press release accusing him of hindering the budget progress. His disappointment cannot feel as bad as that of employees written out of the budget for reasons unrelated to cost effectiveness.
The current 2010 Budget Proposal has so stripped recreational services to constituents of all ages that there needs to be strong outcry from the community. Mount Vernon has seen an explosion in fatal crime over the last 24 months. With little hope and even less constructive activity, residents can only pray that things don't get worse since the little Mayor Young offered youth after promising them so much more, is gone. Mayor Young finally stopped whatever cultural and social programming remaining under the jurisdiction of city hall. Although citizens and private groups can work together to offer some structured social programming, city government should not fail in its duty to the people. Organized recreational activity offers constructive outlets for young people and seniors as well as promotes positive social interaction amongst residents of all ages. Citizens deserve more than just offices open to pay bills.
The mayor, with budget axe in hand, unwisely cut, not trimmed, the budget to the extent that one has to wonder what services the city will be offering for residents in 2010. There is no money to transport young people to any events, free or otherwise. There seems to be no appropriations for summer camp opportunities for children of families struggling to survive. There little to no money for program supplies or for park repairs. It appears that recreational social programming, one of the most essential expenditures for a city full of young people and seniors is not a priority for this administration. What we see as priority are consultants and opportunities for individuals not employed by taxpayers to take money out of the city till. Residents will get little or nothing in return for their tax dollar.
RoadRunner continues to question why the Law Department needs to increase its Labor Counsel expenses by $50,000 while a capable attorney will be removed from the budget and why the Department of Management Service needs $90,000, the Inspector General needs $40,000,, and the Planning Department $125,000 for Outside Contracted Services? There can be no doubt that the City Council's appropriation for Contracted Services was reduced as a politically based cost saving measure. The City Council will undoubtedly need triple the $20,000 granted them in order to protect citizens from the shenanigans of the mayor.
Citizens must carefully watch budget developments and be prepared to stand before the City Council at its Public Hearing and demand that they review the document not with political eyes but with those of representatives elected by the people to serve in their best interests. The people should accept nothing less.
ATLANTIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT FOR GRAMATAN & OAKLEY AVENUES
The mixed-use development project being planned for Gramatan Avenue and Oakley Avenue is getting a lot of attention because of the sudden hurry to get as many things started before new City Council members are sworn in. RoadRunner has done a little research and feels that the community should have as much information as possible on the organization developing the project.
Atlantic Development Group has grown into one of New York City's largest developers of affordable housing since 1995. Co-founders, Marc Altheim, former Chief Executive Officer of H.E.L.P. USA and Peter Fine, the son of a New York City cab driver, have made themselves millionaires by tapping into the affordable housing construction market. They have been quite adept at securing any number of financial enticements offered through governmental entities and are also highly skilled at saving costs by employing nonunion and immigrant workers on their construction sites.
Last April the company was the target of a raid and investigation orchestrated by the Manhattan District Attorney's office. Although the exact details of the investigation still remain sketchy, it is suggested that investigators were looking into such alleged bribery tactics as using expediters to pay off city officials to move projects along. Atlantic drew a lot of heat and had the DA's office looking at them for allegations of bribing construction companies to use nonunion, cheaper labor. Atlantic Development Group LLC has a documented history of paying to play. They specialize in tapping into greedy politicians for support of their projects by offering money hungry elected officials pennies to grant access to millions.
The youthful Marc Altheim and Peter Fine have the distinction of being some of the most politically generous developers in New York City, meaning they don't have a problem spending a buck to take the bank. According to the New York Village Voice, as of the end of April 2009, "Atlantic has also been a virtual cash machine in recent years for Bronx politicians and others. City campaign finance records show that Atlantic and its officers and family members have anteed up more than $160,000 to city pols in the past four years." Atlantic and Mr. Fine have also contributed nearly a half million dollars to state Democrats during the period late 2006 and late 2008, according to the New York Observer.
With the financial crisis creating problems for affordable housing developers in New York City and politicians being leery exposure for accepting contributions from developers willing to buy "friends," smooth operating big city boys have found more agreeable territory. Some would call Mount Vernon the perfect location to keep a business floating until the scrutiny wears off. The city has all of the right ingredients; citizens who don't question, ill-informed and greedy politicians and even less informed monitoring agents. What makes the situation even better for agents of gain is there the impression of Mount Vernon having a local government interested in only one thing; getting paid.
RoadRunner's research revealed an interesting campaign contribution to Mayor Clinton Young's 2007 Campaign Fund. One Peter Fine of 220 Riverside Boulevard), New York City, contributed the amount of $1,700. Could this possibly be the same Peter Fine, principal of the Atlantic Development Group? Is it also possible that allegations may be true about a group of Clinton Young connected individuals are working to move this project along for their own personal gain? Why is the city moving forward with a developer embroiled in scandal, political bribery, union busting and employment of undocumented workers?
Development in the city stopped as soon as Mayor Young took his seat. The city had completed a number of projects that brought new life and pride into Mount Vernon as well as new sources of revenue. Citizens should be reminded that this development project was not the brainchild of Mayor Clinton Young but that of his predecessor. It was meant to compliment the work already started in the downtown area. The mayor's sudden interest in "sealing the deal" should cause citizens to think long and hard about why the mayor is adamant that this particular developer is the best choice.
Given Atlantic Development's widely publicized controversies in the City of New York, and the current administration's continual reference of wrongdoing by the previous administration, citizens need to recognize that all may not be as aboveboard with this deal as they may be led to believe. When the mayor's associates who are not paid by the city lose their cool and challenge members of the public who question the proposal or speak out in opposition then something is very wrong. It is then that citizens should pay attention to the probability that these individuals and the mayor have something to lose. Mount Vernon needs leadership that has citizens' best interest at heart; leadership that recognizes the needs of the people, not only the things that serve their own personal best interest.
If this deal is aboveboard, then the deal can wait for further study with newly elected City Council members who have pledged to operate in the best interest of the all of the people, all of the time.
FYI - Project Location: Gramatan Avenue and Oakley Avenue. The Project further contemplates acquisition and/or improvement of certain property owned by the City of Mount Vernon, as follows: (i) Atlantic's acquisition of certain real property in which the City is the record owner, including, property currently used as a surface municipal parking lot, Lot Number 1; and (ii) improvements by Atlantic to the City's Municipal Garage ("Municipal Parking Garage") located at 61 Gramatan Avenue and 30 North 3rd Avenue.
Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee Chairman Devereaux Cannick
Mayor and MVDCC Executive Committee member Clinton Young
County Legislator and MVDCC Executive Committee member Lyndon Williams
Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee 2nd Vice Chairman Ronald Detres
District Leader Kenneth Plummer of Kensworth Consulting
"One Mount Vernon" candidates from L to R Jennifer Anne Sampson, Debra Stern, Eileen Justino
On Thursday December 17th, 2009 the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee (MVDCC) held its first meeting since the nominating convention back in the spring. The attendance was overwhelming, despite the meeting being held on a very cold night and also taking place one week before Christmas.
Chairman Devereaux Cannick opened the meeting. After he was finished speaking, former Democratic Chairman and Water Commissioner David Ford took the floor. Mr. Ford without any hesitation asked for Cannick’s resignation as well as others on the Executive Committee for several reasons. Mr. Ford explained that while Cannick was in the driver’s seat, the MVDCC has become the laughingstock of the entire County of Westchester and even throughout New York State. Ford also told Cannick about the “One Mount Vernon” line that was created when the courts ruled that the candidates endorsed by the MVDCC petitions were fatally flawed.
Cannick struck back by stating that he had nothing to do with the creation of the “One Mount Vernon”, line. Ford and several others mentioned to Cannick that his name appeared on the Committee to fill vacancies along with 2nd Vice Chairman Ronald Detres, and Beretha Elkins, a district leader hired by Mayor Young to work under the leadership of his younger sister Mary Young in City Hall. Cannick responded that he did not give anyone permission to use his name for the Committee to Fill vacancies. The entire room was in suspense and was confused.
After Mr. Ford spoke, Councilman Steve Horton took the floor and supported Mr. Ford’s call for the immediate resignation of Cannick and his rogue followers. District Leaders, who in the past had differences, were uniting for a common cause. They were coming together to overthrow the scandalous leadership of the MVDCC. Cannick responded by stating that he would resign when he felt the time was right, but emphasized that it would be in the very near future. Cannick during his remarks, tried to convince the district leaders that the party is going to suffer without him in the driver’s seat. District Leaders were not feeding into his propaganda and remained vigilant in their quest for an immediate changing of the guard. It is alleged that Cannick will resign as soon as the low income project being proposed on Gramatan Avenue is approved by City Officials.
Mount Vernon Exposed last week reported that it is alleged the Chairman Devereaux Cannick, Edward Dowdy, who is also on the Executive Committee, Jamie Dickerson, and Kenneth Plummer have joined forces to start a consulting firm to “usher” development projects through City Hall. In return, they would reap huge financial rewards. One development project already on the table is the controversial low income development project being proposed by Atlantic/Kenwood Development on Gramatan Avenue across from Hartley Park. The United States Attorney’s Office has been asked to intervene and investigate the above mentioned allegations of racketeering and bribery.
While all of this was going on, County Legislator Lyndon Williams walked in the room. Williams quickly took the floor and tried to divert everyone’s attention away from the subject at hand. Williams began by stating that he was named Vice-Chairman of the Board of Legislators the previous evening and spoke of a long list of things that he had in the works and things that he wanted to achieve during his second term. While William’s speech would have been appropriate at the end of the meeting, many district leaders had taken offense because Williams did not acknowledge the cause of the present state of disarray at the MVDCC nor did he address the issue.
After Williams started speaking district leader Samuel Rivers, realized Williams was changing the subject from the issue of leadership resignation to another topic that was not relevant at the present moment. At first Williams thought, Rivers had a question for him. Rivers stated that we must not stray away from the topic of new leadership and it would not be a good idea to go into the New Year with the current leadership and if possible it would be wise to hold a special election that evening. Commissioner Ford quickly responded that a special election cannot be held and that the only way to replace the leadership is by resignation.
While Ford was speaking, 2nd Vice Chairman Ron Detres and his wife, Corporation Counsel Loretta Hottinger strolled into the room. Detres took up cover in the corner of the room trying not to attract much attention to him. After all he is one of the culprits that are responsible for the way the MVDCC is today.
Finally, City Council President William Randolph took the floor and also stated that the time has come to change the leadership in the MVDCC. Randolph stated that he hears from all over, especially throughout Westchester County Government, where he has held a high ranking position within the Spano administration, that the MVDCC is looked at as a joke. Randolph was also angered about a press release that was sent out by the Mayor’s Office calling him and Comptroller Maureen Walker obstructionist and that they are the reasons that the 2010 budget is being delayed. Randolph simply stated that the Mayor could have picked up the phone and let him and the Comptroller know that he was going to trash them in a press release instead of Randolph receiving the notice by email. Randolph further stated that he did not agree with the way that the Mayor is going about reducing positions at City Hall. District Leaders assumed Randolph was referring to the retaliatory slashing of 1st Assistant Corporation Counsel Nichelle Johnson’s position. Johnson ran against party backed candidate Helen Blackwood for City Court Judge. Mayor Young was alleged to be heard cursing and yelling at the top of his lungs when Randolph asked the Mayor about the elimination of Johnson’s position. The Mayor further ranted on that he needed someone he can trust. Anyone with an ounce of intelligence can assume that the Mayor needs an attorney with whom he can steal with and wouldn’t question his perfidious motives. The arrogance and selfishness of Mayor Young is the reason why Mount Vernon is stagnated and viewed as a joke throughout the State of New York.
Democratic Nominating Petitions
The nominating petitions for 2009 for City Council candidates were fatally flawed. The petition failed to indicate which candidate was running for the shorter, unexpired term. 2nd Vice-Chairman Ronald Detres is usually charged with the responsibility with putting the petitions together. During our investigation, we have interviewed several witnesses, including other bosses from other political parties in Mount Vernon and we have learned that this error was brought to Detres’ attention long before the deadline for submitting the nominating petitions. Mount Vernon Exposed has even learned that 1st Chairman Reginald Lafayette heard about the mistake, reached out the Dems in Mount Vernon and even offered to send someone down to make sure the petitions were in order.
Detres and other figureheads in Mount Vernon refused Lafayette’s help and even referred to him as “the enemy’. It was also reported that the MVDCC even banned Commissioner David Ford from the MVDCC headquarters during the election process The MVDCC isolated themselves from two individuals who could have spotted this mistake a mile away. Chairman Devereaux Cannick during the meeting held at headquarters on December 17th, 2009, stated that some district leaders knew about the mistake and failed to bring it the attention of the party bosses. As the saying goes, what comes around goes around. The party bosses knew that the nominating convention they held in the spring was illegal and unethical. One can argue that each side is now even with the other.
Democratic Endorsements
Our investigation uncovered disturbing allegations that can be classified as extortion. It is alleged that MVDCC Executive Members conducted the interviews for the party nominations. All of the interviews were conducted by operatives of Mayor Young. During the interviews, it is alleged that they asked City Comptroller candidate Maureen Walker for $50,000, City Judge Candidates were asked for $25,000, and the City Council Candidates were each asked for $15,000. Once the cash was turned over to the MVDCC, they had no intentions of supporting the contributing candidate and they ultimately would use their donation to finance a campaign against said individual. The MVDCC asked for these substantial amounts of cash as a means to intimidate the candidates from running in the Democratic Primary
During a search of financial disclosure reports, Mount Vernon Exposed uncovered some interesting information. The following individuals contributed to the MVDCC this past election cycle.
Payee/Recipient
Amt
Expense Code
Date
Disburser
Filing
Sched
Office
Dist
County
MOUNT VERNON DEM CITY COMM
PO BOX 269
MOUNT VERNON, NY 10551
Mount Vernon Exposed was very intrigued when Chairman Cannick mentioned that he did not authorize his name to be used for the committee to fill vacancies. Mount Vernon Exposed decided to conduct an investigation into the allegations and it did not take much time at all to find out who were the individuals that participated in this heinous act. After interviewing several witnesses, it was determined that Lyndon Williams was the chief architect of this scheme. Williams was also the attorney that represented the “One Mount Vernon” line when other City Council candidates challenged the nominating petitions of the “One Mount Vernon” line.
Mount Vernon Exposed did not feed into Cannick’s propaganda that he had nothing to do with the “One Mount Vernon” Line. After all he is a defense attorney and he is highly trained to convince juries that his clients are innocent even though they may have committed a crime, and that they should be found not guilty based on a technicality. If Cannick had publicly came forward earlier and mentioned that his name was fraudulently used by Williams and Detres, challengers to the petitions could have went to court and have had the entire nominating petition invalidated. This would have spared unwarranted voter confusion this past election season.
It was alleged during our investigation that Cannick was present along with Mayor Young, Detres, and the other conspirators during meetings at MVDCC. It was alleged that meetings were even held at Williams’s residence. It is a violation of NYS Election Law for the MVDCC to allocate funds or commit resources to another party line for the purpose of sabotaging its own candidates. It was also determined that the candidates running on the “One Mount Vernon” line, were indeed perpetrating to voters that they were the Democratic candidates when in fact they were declared ineligible to run in the September Democratic Primary. On the new literature and yard signs that were printed, the “One Mount Vernon” candidates had “DEMOCRAT” printed on the literature in an attempt to further confuse voters. The “One Mount Vernon” candidates even had their “seal of approval” on their literature.
On Election Day, Williams was seen parading around town with porch puppy John Boykin and distributing the “One Mount Vernon” line literature. Williams being on the Executive Committee of the MVDCC and also an attorney, should have known it was a conflict of interest and unethical for him to represent and campaign for the “One Mount Vernon” line candidates. Furthermore, Mount Vernon Exposed believes it is a conflict of interest for any elected official to serve in any capacity as an officer or on the Executive Committee of the MVDCC. It was also reported that Williams was upset the Judge Blackwood was now supporting the Democratic Candidates and not the newly created “One Mount Vernon” line. Williams allegedly told some folks that he no longer wanted his posters or yard signs to appear next to Judge Blackwood’s. If these allegations prove to be true, then Williams must resign as a district leader from the party. Williams was also noticeably missing from the photograph on the palm card with the other Democratic nominees after the September Primary.
Rogue Democratic District Leaders Face Disciplinary Action
Mount Vernon Exposed has learned that several district leaders have filed written complaints with Westchester County Democratic Chairman Reginald Lafayette asking him to bring these rogue agents formally up on charges for not being in sympathy with the principles of the Democratic Party. If the proceedings before Chairman Lafayette or the sub-committee determine that the district leaders are guilty for not being in sympathy with the principles of the Democratic Party, they will be ordered removed from the Board of Elections by a Supreme Court Justice. The conspirators facing removal from the MVDCC are; Chairman Devereaux Cannick, Mayor Clinton Young, 2nd Vice- Chairman Ron Detres, the entire Executive Committee, and the candidates that ran on the “One Mount Vernon” line, Michael Justino, and Kenneth Plummer.
Conclusion
The perpetrators that caused the mass confusion among Mount Vernon voters this past election cycle should resign immediately. Failure to do so will severely impact the quality of life for every Mount Vernon resident. It was stated at the meeting on December 17th, 2009, that the Mayor is the head of the Democratic party. Mayor Young should not have any say so whatsoever about local elections. The City of Mount Vernon under the leadership of Mayor Young has taken 10 steps backwards. Until Mayor Young and his cronies are removed from power, the quality of life in Mount Vernon will continue to deteriorate.
Pastor W. Darin Moore of Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion
CHARLOTTE, NC - A Lowcountry pastor is now facing drug charges in North Carolina. 47-year-old Brian Moore was arrested for felony drug possession and misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia near Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday.
Moore is a pastor at the Life Center Cathedral Church in North Charleston. He also works for several other churches in North and South Carolina.
Police in the Queen City say they followed Moore after he left a motel with a man who was banned from the property. Officers say they found drug paraphernalia in the car's console. After finding the Ecstasy, the pastor reportedly told officers he had some Marijuana in his motel room. According to the Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Sheriff's Office web site Moore posted $3,250 in bond for three total charges.
Moore said his lawyer asked him not to talk about the charges, but he released a written statement. It said in part, "Although the wheels of justice often move slowly, I have full faith that this incident will ultimately be resolved favorably. Until such time, I will continue to serve as pastor of Live Ministries and will continue to be a good husband and father to my wife and children."
Moore also said he has fully cooperated with police
On Wednesday December 16th, 2009 a public hearing was held at City Hall for a massive affordable housing project that is proposed to be built on Gramatan Avenue across from Hartley Park. Present at the hearing were the developers, Kenneth Plummer, John Boykin, residents of Mount Vernon, and an army of Mayor Young followers, many of them district leaders. The presentation started off with a long, boring, monotone speech from Planning Commissioner Jeffrey Williams. During Williams’ speech he informed the City Council members, that in order for this development to be built, a major change in the zoning code would have to occur.
The meeting notice on the City of Mount Vernon website stated that the public hearing was for the purpose of hearing public comments regarding the confusing, difficult to read 2000 page Draft Environmental Impact Study document (DEIS), not for changes to the zoning code. However, this last minute bait and switch has is habitual of Mayor Young’s administration. Mount Vernon residents quickly learned that two consecutive public hearing would be held in one night, the first on the change to the zoning code, the latter for comments on the (DEIS).
Councilman Randolph started the public hearing session by asking for public comment in favor of the project. A slew of Mayor Young supporters and many young men that said that they were working with County Legislator Lyndon Williams and were promised jobs spoke one after the other. However, the developers mentioned nothing to the audience and made no such promises on the record that they were committing to any hiring of Mount Vernon residents. Many of the persons that spoke in favor of the project either had a financial interest in the project or were not residents of Mount Vernon.
Next Councilman Randolph asked the audience if there was anyone opposed to the project. Residents lined up one by one to express their concerns and dissatisfactions with the way the Young administration is handling this project. Many expressed concerns that the neighboring schools, already operating over capacity could not handle any more students. Another resident mentioned that Mount Vernon is already one of the most densely populated cities in the country, and Mount Vernon residents could not afford a project like this and if approved will further negatively impact Mount Vernon’s social services.
One resident, a neighbor living in the neighborhood directly affected by this development stated to Council members, that he had not received any notification in the mail and only had found out about the meeting by word of mouth from his neighbor. Next, Mount Vernon resident Samuel Rivers approached the podium to state that he was opposed to this particular development because members of the Young administration and several City Council members have not been forthcoming to the public with information regarding this project. Many of Mayor Young’s cheerleaders were upset that Mr. Rivers was speaking out against this project. Prior to Mr. Rivers even entering City Council Chambers, he was stopped in the hallway by Jamie Dickerson, a close ally to Mayor Young and alleged consultant working alongside another Mayor Young crony, Kenneth Plummer. These two along with others are allegedly reaping huge financial rewards for steering and navigating this project through City Hall.
Mr. Dickerson during his interaction with Mr. Rivers had told Rivers that he didn’t care about the politics in Mount Vernon but would appreciate it if Rivers didn’t speak about that stuff and embarrass the City and disrespect the developers. Rivers was confused. Rivers told Dickerson, that this is a public hearing and he came to redress his grievances, a constitutionally protected right and that no one is going to take that away from him. From the outside looking in, it would appear that Dickerson was trying to extort and intimidate Rivers from speaking. Rivers paid Mayor Young’s cohort no mind and proceeded to City Council Chambers.
While Rivers was speaking he was very blunt and told the developers that they are not going to come into Mount Vernon and shove this down the throats of Mount Vernon residents, no matter how much money slid under the table and no matter what back room deals were struck. Rivers also told the developers that they were preaching to the wrong choir and asked them why didn’t they wait until the new City Council members take office in 15 days? “I hope the people that the Young administration loaded in this room tonight speaking in favor of this project have set aside funds for legal fees” Rivers added. Rivers concluded his statement by stating that many standard operating procedures were not adhered to and that City Council members appeared to have broken the rules for this particular developer. One has to wonder how much money really did change hands. Rivers also put the Council on notice by letting them know that a formal complaint was filed with the United States Attorney’s office. Hopefully a fully fledged investigation will give Mount Vernon residents the answers that they are seeking.
Mayor Young pal Kenneth Plummer sat in disgust and uttered sarcastic remarks from his mouth every time that someone went to the podium to speak out against the project. While speakers spoke out in opposition of the project, Plummer, Boykin, and Dickerson, the minions who do the bidding of Mayor Young, could be heard sneakily whispering and conspiring in the audience. Plummer looked extremely annoyed and agitated when City Councilwoman elect Karen Watts took the podium. Ms. Watts was very on the ball and appeared to have read through the 2000 page document. Ms. Watts was well aware that many promises were made in the past to the Mount Vernon community regarding employment that were not kept and she did not want to see the same thing happen again. Mount Vernon residents are very fortunate to have elected Ms. Watts to the City Council. With her on the Council we can be assured that she will scrutinize every document and ask all of the pertinent questions. We can also be assured that you cannot slip her a brown bag to get her to change her vote.
While the meeting was nearing adjournment, Jamie Dickerson, kept uttering profane and threatening words towards Mr. Rivers. Mr. Dickerson said such things as “I will kick your ass”; “Meet me outside” “Stop Fucking with me” “Why did you disrespect the developer?” “I am not Kenny Plummer”. Mr. Dickerson, upset that Rivers was speaking his mind and exercising his constitutionally protected right of free speech was behaving like a person that forgot to take their medication and has seen one too many Godfather movies. Mount Vernon residents must not forget that porch puppy John Boykin, told Rivers "You must sit back and learn the ways of the Godfather", during his 69 minute expletive filled rant. Dickerson appearing to have no self control or home training began to get more violent and belligerent the calmer Rivers spoke to him. Rivers told him, “If there are issues you would like to address with me like a man, then speak to me like a man, otherwise I do not recognize the foolishness coming from your mouth.” Dickerson in a moment of rage shoved Rivers. Rivers in a very stern voice let Dickerson know to not put his hands on him again. The developers allegedly paying Dickerson thousands of dollars to steer the project through City Hall witnessed the hothead in action that they have on their payroll. Time will tell if Atlantic/Kenwood Development will keep these ignoramuses’ employed. Plummer and Dickerson are the kinds of morons that the elected Mayor of Mount Vernon chooses to associate with. It is unclear what promises were made to the developer or how much money slid under the table, but one thing is for certain, all eyes are on this project. Atlantic/Kenwood Development is in for a long and costly battle.
Mount Vernon Democratic Committee Chairman Devereau Cannick
Kenneth Plummer of Kensworth Consulting
City Council President William Randolph
City Council Woman Eileen Justino
City Councilman Marcus Griffith
2000 Page Draft Environmental Impact Study
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
PUBLIC HEARING 7 P.M. DECEMBER 16TH, 2009 CITY HALL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The administration of Mayor Young has not been forthcoming with information when it comes to public hearings. On Wednesday December 16th, 2009 there will be a public hearing in City Council Chambers discussing the proposed development of a mix-used high rise on Gramatan Ave. The approximately 2000 page document Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) is available for review in the City Clerk’s office during normal business hours.
Many Mount Vernon residents are not aware that this development contains a significant amount of affordable housing and that a friend of the Mayor is allegedly receiving consulting fees to “usher” this project through City Hall.
In an unusual chain of events, Mayor Young’s handpicked City Council members, passed a resolution back in the spring to assume the lead role in analyzing and approving crucial environmental documents relating to this project. It is unclear how many Council members, if any have reviewed the 2000 page DEIS. Circumventing the usual process would ensure that those close to the Mayor would be able to collect their consulting fees and not have to deal with the “red tape” ordinary developers’ encounter.
It is alleged that Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee Chairman Devereau Cannick, Kenneth Plummer and others have joined forces to start a consulting company geared at ushering projects through Mayor Young’s administration. Atlantic Development is proposing to build 3 buildings that do not adhere to current zoning laws. Mayor Young’s handpicked City Council would be required to pass a resolution changing the zoning if this project is going to be built.
Mount Vernon Exposed has obtained a copy of a letter dated December 8, 2009 addressed to the United States Attorney’s Office and copied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A federal investigation was called for into City Council Members William Randolph, Steve Horton, Eileen Justino, Marcus Griffith, Corporation Counsel Loretta Hottinger, Democratic Chairman Devereau Cannick, and Mayor Clinton Young.
Kenneth Plummer of Kensworth Consulting has received tens of thousands of dollars from all of the named Council members with the exception of William Randolph. Plummer has also received payments from Corporation Counsel Loretta Hottinger, County Legislator Lyndon Williams, and Supreme Court Judge Fran Connelly. There have also been allegations that Plummer, Cannick and others are receiving a monthly allowance from the developers as the liaison for the City of Mount Vernon. At the time of this publication, Mount Vernon Exposed did not find any financial disclosure reports online from William Randolph. However, it is unclear how much money, if any, was paid by his candidate committee to Kensworth Consulting. Federal Investigators issued subpoenas for a development project in Yonkers called Ridge Hill. It was alleged that one of the City Council members took a bribe in order for her to switch her vote. During that investigation, Council member had their computers seized and were forced to turn over financial data and phone records. The same must be done in Mount Vernon in order to maintain an atmosphere of impropriety.
There has also been speculation that City Council President William Randolph will be the new Commissioner of the Water Department and it is also alleged that this new position is payback for voting favorably on projects like this and also approving Mayor Young’s 2010 wretched spending plan. Just taking a look at the current City Councilpersons financial disclosure statements would raise some red flags. Many of these candidates have made large payments to Plummer’s Company. This would appear to be a huge conflict of interest. In the letter addressed to the United States Attorney, the author stated that upon information and belief that Mayor Young was a partner and/or owner of Kensworth Consulting and that Plummer was operating out of Mayor Young’s office when he was a County Legislator. The Mayor must immediately issue a press release confirming or denying these allegations. It is in the Mayor’s best interest to be forthcoming with information because he will be forced to tell the truth in a court of law.
The bold, brazen actions of those close to Mayor Young do not surprise us here at Mount Vernon Exposed. What was supposed to be a fool proof plan has now turned into a potential indictment of Mayor Young, City Council members, Corporation Counsel Loretta Hottinger and others. All are allegedly involved in this pay to play scheme.
The Planning Board is usually the lead agency for projects similar to the one proposed. All of the firms, contracts, resolutions, and ordinances authorized by Mayor Young’s handpicked City Council and his puppet on the Board of Estimate have to be carefully scrutinized. They must all be subpoenaed and sworn under oath and compelled to disclose their relationship with Mount Vernon City Officials. It is unclear if the proper protocol was adhered to in regards to requesting proposals from potential firms interested in doing business with the City of Mount Vernon for this particular development project. There is speculation that the law firms, consulting agencies, architects, and engineers retained by mayor Young and approved by the Board of Estimate, working on this project have all been hand picked and have been paid off to give favorable reports about this development project. Many residents have told Mount Vernon Exposed that they do not welcome this development in their neighborhood and are prepared to file lawsuits to halt the development.
Former Mount Vernon City Council candidate Samuel Rivers filed a lawsuit against the city on Wednesday seeking to block the city from holding a public hearing on the 2010 budget last night.
The public hearing was held, but Rivers is still trying to delay other meetings by the Board of Estimate and Contract, which is the body that held last night’s public hearing.
His lawsuit, filed in the state Supreme Court, seeks court intervention to stop the Board of Estimate and Contract from voting on the 2010 budget. That board’s next meeting is on Dec. 15 at 8:45 in City Hall.
“The public only had two days to know that the budget was available,” Rivers said of a public notice that appeared in The Journal News just days before the hearing. “Two or three days is not enough time to do due dilligence. The problem with Mount Vernon is transparency and the only way you’re going to get transparency is by bringing them to court.”
Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young’s chief of staff Yolanda Robinson declined to comment earlier because it’s a legal matter. She said that she would issue a press statement on the matter after the city’s attorneys reviewed it, but as of 4:50pm on Friday none was received.
While it’s up to a court to decide if Rivers has legal standing, the city does trip up on its legal notices about public hearings. Earlier this week Mount Vernon published a legal notice in the Journal News about a Dec. 14 meeting at 6pm in City Hall for a presentation of an application to a state agency for an environmental and land-use study of the city’s southeastern industrial zone.
The city’s public notice stated that the public would have 30 days starting Dec. 10 to review the application. The Journal News went to the Planning Department this morning to review the application and the application was not ready for the public to review—one business day before their public meeting.
On Monday December 7th, 2009 the Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency held a public hearing for a developer Titus Investments, LLC. The developer is looking to receive substantial tax breaks from the IDA and is also a financial contributor of Mayor Clinton Young. The early morning odd time of this hearing would ensure that there would be a low turnout and the nefarious administration of Mayor Young would be one step closer in achieving its goal. The IDA is headed by Mayor Clinton Young.
Corporation Counsel Loretta Hottinger has repeatedly shown Mount Vernon taxpayers that she is not capable of safeguarding the City of Mount Vernon’s finances and to act in the best interest of Mount Vernon taxpayers. Instead she has shown taxpayers that she is nothing more than a political hack who will sell her soul to the highest bidder. Her latest action of intentionally omitting 1st Corporation Counsel Nichelle Johnson’s position from the 2010 budget can cost Mount Vernon taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Any Judge or jury with even an ounce of intelligence will clearly rule in favor of Nichelle Johnson and deem Hottinger’s and Mayor Young’s actions retaliatory. In the event that Ms. Johnson is victorious in Court, Mount Vernon residents hope and pray that the judge holds the perpetrators personally responsible so that the burden will not have such an impact on the taxpayers. Perhaps, developers looking to come into Mount Vernon should set aside some affordable housing units for our elected officials to live in after their assets are seized and auctioned off to pay for their reckless and ignorant decision making.
There has been speculation that Johnson’s position was going to be eliminated before the general election. Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed that Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee 1st Vice Chairman Reginald Lafayette was the architect behind this doltish scheme. Rumors have been circulating for several weeks that Johnson’s position was going to be eliminated. Sources have quoted Lafayette saying that “there is a price to pay when you go against the party”. Hottinger still upset that she was not appointed Judge instead of Helen Blackwood, seized this opportunity to remove her biggest threat, Nichelle Johnson. With speculation that there may be more openings on the bench in Mount Vernon in the near future, Hottinger did not waste any time carrying out this heinous act.
Mount Vernon residents have been flooding Mount Vernon Exposed’s inbox for an in depth analysis into the shadowy administration of Mayor Clinton Young. Many residents are scratching their heads as to why Hottinger and Mayor Young would eliminate Johnson’s position and keep the inexperienced, sophomore Joana Aggrey on the payroll. Agrrey is the wife of the foul mouthed, “Brain Trust” John Boykin. Joana Aggrey is now charged with the responsibility of attending City Council and Board of Estimate meetings and too was introduced as part of this “Brain Trust” by Mayor Young. Her signature can also be found on most ordinances and resolutions that have been passed by either the City Council or the Board of Estimate and Contract as the attorney of record. Mount Vernon Exposed has obtained copies of an ordinance and a resolution with 4th Assistant Joana Aggrey’s signature on it. We deem these documents to be suspicious. The documents presented to the Council had a dollar amount on it, while the same document that went before the Board of Estimate and contract has no dollar amount whatsoever on it, essentially giving the Department Head and Mayor Young a blank check to spend as much of Mount Vernon taxpayers’ money as possible. Corporation Counsel Nichelle Johnson saves Mount Vernon taxpayers in one month more than enough money that can pay for her annual salary. One can come to the conclusion that Johnson is not a liability to taxpayers, while on the other hand 4th Assistant Corporation Counsel Joana Aggrey is a major liability to Mount Vernon taxpayers. Something does not add up here.
One person speaking on the condition on anonymity claimed to have inside knowledge and has had dealings with the Young administration. Mount Vernon Exposed was given this theory. Regardless if Ms. Johnson ran for election this year her position was going to be eliminated in the 2010 budget the source stated.
Here are the reasons why:
·Loretta Hottinger prior to being appointed to the Corporation Counsel position was very familiar with the skills of Ms. Johnson as was very well aware that Ms. Johnson had saved the City of Mount Vernon millions of dollars by handling and litigating cases personally. Hottinger also realized that there are several pending Civil Rights lawsuits against the City of Mount Vernon filed by Sam Zherka and these lawsuits can result in a payday in the tens of millions of dollars. With all of the evidence stacked against Mayor Young, Yolanda Robinson, and other defendants the City of Mount Vernon cannot defend these lawsuits. The last thing Mayor Young and Yolanda Robinson would want to see is enemies of theirs defeat the City of Mount Vernon and increase his wealth. Hottinger, Young and a few other power brokers then start to brainstorm to figure out a way to profit from their misfortunes. All of the conspirators are aware that Ms. Johnson is the only attorney in-house that can defend and litigate these complex cases. Immediately upon taking her new position, it is alleged that Hottinger began to immediately outsource cases and pull cases away from Ms. Johnson and send them to firms that bill the City of Mount Vernon ridiculous amounts of money. It is unclear whether or not Hottinger has had any prior business dealings with these law firms, is a shareholder in these firms, or if she followed proper protocol retaining these law firms. It is also alleged that Hottinger, Mayor Young and others would receive kick backs from these law firms in exchange for the new business they are receiving from the City of Mount Vernon. These conspirators’ are all aware of the substantial amount of billable hours involved with these cases.
Loretta Hottinger is no stranger to questionable behavior. Judge Rory Bellantoni ruled earlier this year that the City of Mount Vernon did not go through the proper channels when it hired the law firm of Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman, and Dicker, LLP. This firm was hired by the City Council and their sole aim was to go after Comptroller Maureen Walker about PILOT payments. This would be the first in a series of political maneuvers to attempt to push her out of office. First Deputy Comptroller Thomas Rajala has since asked Hottinger for an opinion on how to recoup the $39,000 in illegal payments already paid to the firm. It is unclear if Hottinger has even provided the opinion. There has also been speculation that this law firm has political ties to major power brokers in Westchester County and that can be part of the reason why Hottinger has no interest in recouping the illegal payments that were issued. Mike Edelman the New 12 political analyst is a partner at the law firm in question and he is also close friends with Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore. If Hottinger was to go after this firm to recoup the money stolen from Mount Vernon taxpayers, this would be political suicide for her. Her dream of becoming a Judge would never become reality. If Hottinger was to remain silent and look the other way, allegedly she would reap huge financial profits and no one would prosecute her or even launch an investigation into her nefarious activities because the long arm of the law is on her side.
While Hottinger was on the City Council, specifically while she was City Council president, the City Council held a public hearing on the PILOT payments. The main purpose of this hearing was to publicly embarrass Comptroller Maureen Walker. The testimony given by Walker would then be forwarded to Inspector General Harry Stokes so that he can perform his analysis. On July 8th, 2008 Inspector General Harry Stokes made his report public. In Stokes’ opening statement, he stated that The City of Mount Vernon’s Pilot program is not in compliance with New York State Law. He further stated that The City of Mount Vernon industrial Development Agency lacks internal controls and accounting procedures. Stokes, who was appointed by Mayor Young, initially had applied for the position of Commissioner of Management Services. In is unclear who came up with the idea that he was qualified to be Inspector General. Stokes stated in his report that projects are not properly tracked and that there is a lack of communication between key participants in the administrative process. At the end of his report, Inspector General Stokes issued 11 recommendations that in his mind would prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. It could not be determined if any of the recommendations are now standard operating procedures. An attorney from the Office of Corporation Counsel is present at all IDA meetings.
This same IDA that Stokes says lacks internal controls, and is headed by Mayor Clinton Young had a theft this year of about $12,000. Where are the internal controls and procedures that Stokes put into place? A lot questions remain unanswered. The Mayor has demonstrated though his actions that the appointment of Inspector General Harry Stokes was 100% political and his only mission was to find fault with Comptroller Maureen Walker and to alert the Mayor of whistle blowers within his administration so that they can quickly clean up the paper trail. Perhaps he should be investigating Corporation Counsel Loretta Hottinger and the City Council members that voted to illegally obtain retain outside counsel. But taxpayers already know that Stokes will not investigate the very same people who voted to create his six figure position.
MOUNT VERNON - The city has done such a poor job of monitoring tax agreements with large-property owners that the deals violated state law and present a "fertile opportunity for waste, fraud and abuse," a report by the city inspector general has determined.
Mount Vernon Inspector General Harry Stokes also said the agreements, called payments in lieu of taxes, or PILOTs, are so shoddily tracked that it's unclear just how many the city has.
"After a thorough review of the sworn testimony and submitted documentation," Stokes wrote in a 12-page report, "it is impossible to determine and validate with any degree of certainty (1) how many valid PILOT projects exist, (2) whether the projects are current in their payments or (3) what the actual payment is even supposed to be in some instances."
PILOT agreements are deals in which municipalities allow large-property owners to make lump-sum tax payments that are lower than standard property taxes.
In Mount Vernon, the deals are brokered by the Industrial Development Agency. City Comptroller Maureen Walker, who serves as IDA treasurer, took issue with Stokes' criticism of the deals, and said it was Stokes who did a shoddy job - in compiling the report. "I would first like to inform you that you have significantly compromised your credibility and that of your office in engaging in cheap political activities rather than tackling the real issues facing city government," Walker wrote in a scathing July 10 letter to Stokes. "Your lack of objectivity and your unfounded conclusions based on 'second hand information' appear to be political in nature."
Walker is feuding with Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young and the City Council, and was a longtime adversary of former Mayor Ernest Davis, who was voted out of office last year.
The city's IDA is always headed by the sitting mayor. Stokes' report, completed July 3 and made public this week, follows a yearlong quest by the City Council to get more details on the city's PILOT agreements. But Walker, Mount Vernon's longstanding elected comptroller, said Stokes never spoke to her directly. She said the IDA has adhered to state reporting requirements and does use standard operating procedures, despite Stokes' claims to the contrary.
Stokes could not be reached for comment yesterday. But in his report, Stokes conceded that he did not conduct an official audit of the IDA and its PILOT deals. Rather, he was asked by the City Council to review the deals. The council began seeking information about the deals in March 2007 and subpoenaed Walker, city Assessor Anthony DeBellis and IDA secretary Carmen Sylvester. Stokes reviewed transcripts of their questioning by the council, as well as relevant state and local laws.
City Council President Loretta Hottinger said the board would now review the report in conjunction with the council's attorneys.
"When we started this investigation, any person that we questioned could've been a hero if their responses had been proper and correct and complete, if the documentation would have been supplied to us," Hottinger said yesterday. "I leave it to the public to decide whether or not it's political. We just laid out the questions. Let people look at what the answers were."
In a written statement, the mayor's chief of staff, Yolanda Robinson, said the "days of backroom deals and withholding information regarding PILOT agreements and other public financial data are over."
"The Inspector General's latest report clearly demonstrates the need to establish definitive written fiscal policy in the city," she said.
Based on the records he reviewed, Stokes said, the city had no accurate accounting of the deals, to the degree that there were different accounts as to how many PILOT agreements there were - ranging from seven to 14.
The report also found that there was little cooperation and communication between city departments, with DeBellis testifying that he was routinely ignored when he sought information about the properties that had been taken off the tax rolls through the deals.
The City Council's inability to obtain the records also signaled a violation of state law, which mandates a complete listing of PILOT properties be kept for 10 years, according to the report. The council found no such record, he said.
Stokes concluded his report with recommendations that include a call for the IDA to adhere to state reporting and record-keeping requirements, and improve communication and cooperation between relevant agencies.
MAYORAL CONTRIBUTOR CURRENTLY SEEKING TAX BREAKS FROM IDA
Titus Investment, LLC a financial contributor of Mayor Young is now looking for the IDA, the same agency that Inspector General Stokes said lacked internal controls and is a fertile environment for fraud, waste, and abuse, to give their company tax breaks and a PILOT agreement with the IDA. There is a public hearing held at 10 A.M. on December 7th, 2009 in the Memorial Room at City Hall regarding the PILOT Agreement. Who does Mayor Young think he is fooling? One thing is for sure the Feds are watching.
Findings of Fact
The Office of Corporation Counsel is charged with the duty to defend the City against lawsuits. Corporation Counsel Loretta Hottinger must make full disclosure to the public about her business and shareholder interest, if any to the public immediately regarding the law firms that do business with the City of Mount Vernon. Politics do not belong in the Office of Corporation Counsel. It is recommended that the City Council take action to put the Office of Corporation Counsel under their jurisdiction and to remove Loretta Hottinger from office as soon as possible. If the situation is allowed to remain as it is, the City of Mount Vernon can potentially be bankrupt before 2011. Corporation Counsel Loretta Hottinger must vigorously recoup all monies illegally paid to individuals and corporations. Mount Vernon knows of two such instances that monies have illegally left the City coffers in 2009 while Hottinger was at the wheel. There are several instances of theft of services, official misconduct, wire fraud and mail fraud. These activities can be classified as those pertaining to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (Rico Act). It is therefore recommended that this report be referred to the United States Attorney’s Office (Southern District) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for immediate prosecution.
Copyright 2007 - Journal News, The White Plains, NY - All Rights Reverved October 30th, 2007
MOUNT VERNON - Mayor Ernie Davis' pro bono lawyer, Ravi Batra, announced yesterday he has issued subpoenas to City Council members, the corporation counsel and the comptroller seeking a wide range of documents as part of the mayor's own investigation into city activities.
Davis gave Batra the authority to identify fraud, waste and abuse in the wake of two federal probes into city trash-hauling contracts and its troubled Urban Renewal Agency. Batra now has the power to examine the accounts of city officers, departments and the money, securities and property belonging to the city in the possession or charge of any officer or department.
"This is not about politics," Batra said. "This is about the rule of law. This is the nuclear weapon of honest government."
He said the "baseline subpoenas" will be returnable after the Nov. 6 election.
The subpoenas ask for all budget requests, submitted cell-phone bills, any disclosed conflicts of interest, personal expense reimbursements, contract requests, identifications of all employees assigned to the council, solicitations for bids from law firms, documents on no-bid contracts and correspondence from the City Council from Jan. 1, 1998, to the present.
The subpoenas named all city council members except Yuhanna Edwards. Batra said Edwards has not served on the Urban Renewal Agency and therefore was not named.
The other council members - Steven Horton, Loretta Hottinger, William Randolph and Lyndon Williams -are requested to submit their schedules and other information, in addition to other documents. Batra is seeking the same materials from Corporation Counsel Helen Blackwood and Comptroller Maureen Walker.
The subpoena also asks Blackwood for a list of credentials used to draft requests for proposals and records of the process to open city bids. Walker is being asked to submit all materials regarding her participation on the Board of Estimate and Contract and other financial records.
Batra's original list of officials he expected to target with subpoenas, which he described last week, included both Edwards and City Clerk Lisa Copeland. He said Copeland was dropped because he does not need records from her at this time.
Batra announced the subpoenas at a press conference in which Davis criticized both the council and his mayoral opponent, county Legislator Clinton Young, who beat him in the Democratic primary. Davis, who also faces a challenge from Republican Janet Snyder, is running on the Conservative and Independent lines.
Davis supporters have said the FBI has political motives in its probes, but the mayor said only that he believed his political enemies are the ones supplying information to investigators.
"Investigations happen when people drop a dime on someone," Davis said. "No, I don't know for sure but I am putting two and two together. There are too many coincidences."
Young responded by saying in a statement: "It's unfortunate that Ernie Davis continues to drag the City and everyone else into his own personal issues. It's truly disingenuous and shameful for him to continue to blame the federal government, the city council and everyone else for his own mismanagement and scandals."
Council members have opposed Batra's appointment as the mayor's attorney and questioned its legality. Horton, the council president, said the council will review the subpoenas, but called them "a publicity stunt with no legal bearing designed to deflect the attention from the mayor."
Another council member, Lyndon Williams, called them "harassment."
School Board Member Charlie Stern (above far right)
Last night was a heated school board meeting at the Board of Education. Over 100 residents were in attendance to protest the school district’s recent decision to reassign A.B. Davis School Principal Ralph Burts. Before the public speaking session began, school board trustee Maria Aneiro read aloud a list of unconstitutional rules of conduct to the audience. Aneiro presided over the meeting in Trustee President Derrick Claye’s absence. One resident in attendance spoke of how this reminded him of slavery when people were told when to speak and told when to be quiet.
Parent after parent, resident after resident went up to the podium to seek answers on various issues affecting the community and their children’s’ welfare. Speakers were allowed to speak for only 3 min and when the buzzer sounded Trustee Aneiro would rudely interrupt the speakers as if she had no home training. It was as if information presented to her went into one ear and out of the other. These actions displayed by an elected official are disheartening and disrespectful. This behavior is common with elected officials throughout the City of Mount Vernon.
One speaker, Samuel L. Rivers, seemed to strike a nerve with Trustee Aneiro. Mr. Rivers asked school board members about the contradictious statement about Ralph Burts made by spokesman Desiree Grand in The Journal News. Ms. Grand stated that it is the school districts policy to remove “threats” from schools when it involved incidents such as the one with Ralph Burts. Mr. Rivers referenced an incident at the high school last year in which allegedly the Principal slapped a student in the face, an event witness by several students. Mr. Rivers then addressed Trustee Aneiro and Trustee Stern directly about allegations of them wanting to open up a charter school while they are still sitting board members. Trustee Charlie Stern is the husband of Debra Stern who unsuccessfully ran for City Council last month.
When it came time to respond to comments from the audience, Trustee Stern confirmed to the residents in attendance that the allegations are true. Stern said he does have plans currently under way to open a charter school. Stern’s response drew heavy reactions from the audience and from several of his fellow board members. Trustee Aneiro turned red in the face and was in total disbelief that her partner in crime even addressed the allegation in question. One parent reported to Mount Vernon Exposed that she overheard Trustee Aneiro ask Stern in the hallway during recess why he answered the question. Trustee Goozeit and Trustee Ben-Reuben asked Stern about his intentions and why hasn’t he disclosed his intentions to the Board. School Board Attorney Jennifer Arditi, of the law firm Aiello & Cannick was seen shaking her head as that was a notion for Stern and Aneiro to shut their mouths.
The crowd demanded answers and wanted a full explanation because Trustee Stern had already confirmed the allegation. Trustee Goozeit told Stern and Aneiro that they ran on a platform of transparency and that their current platform is opaque. Trustee Ben-Reuben then followed stating that Aneiro and Stern are undermining the superintendent by going directly to the State Board of Regents to submit their application. Trustee Goozeit insisted that this was a conflict of interest especially because charter schools receive public funding approved by the school board. Trustee Aneiro then went on to mention that a presentation would be rolled out to the community in the near future. Trustee Goozeit stated that the future is now. He immediately put in writing that at the next school board meeting scheduled for January 7th, 2010 that Trustee’s Aneiro and Stern and any other culprits involved must disclose their interests, and make a full disclosure and presentation to the community. The crowd applauded and thanked Trustee Goozeit for doing what he was elected to do; serve the people.
After the meeting several people approached Mr. Rivers and thanked him for raising the issue about the charter schools. Several parents informed him that they knew about this for a long time and that they even heard of Debra Stern taking a trip to Washington D. C. for a workshop on charter schools. Rivers was also told that Mayor Young and Superintendent Dr. Sawyer are all in on this plan to establish a charter school and that the Mayor even has property set aside for their venture. This is all political payback for the Stern’s and others in their immediate circle support in the 2007 mayoral election. Trustee Stern and his wife Debra along with Trustee Aneiro are all Democratic district leaders in Mount Vernon. Devereau Cannick who is the Chairman of the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee has reaped hundreds of thousands of dollars as the school board attorney. Cannick and his associate Jennifer Arditi, had to pay back $75,000 to the NYS retirement pension system for being improperly listed as employees in the Mount Vernon City School District.
DO YOU THINK THE ELIMINATION OF 1ST CORPORATION COUNSEL NICHELLE JOHNSON'S POSITION WAS POLITICAL PAYBACK FOR HER CANDIDACY IN THE ELECTION FOR CITY JUDGE?
DO THINK THE ELIMINATION OF 1ST CORPORATION COUNSEL NICHELLE JOHNSON'S POSITION IS POLITICAL PAYBACK FOR HER CANDIDACY IN THE ELECTION FOR CITY JUDGE?
Here at Mount Vernon Exposed we are 120% committed to keeping the public informed as to how their tax dollars are being spent. We investigate all allegations of corruption and when appropriate forward the information to the proper authorities. All leads will be investigated. E:Mail your tips and/complaints to mountvernonexposed@gmail.com. You may be entitled to a reward if the information you supply leads to an arrest and conviction of a public official.
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