MOUNT VERNON EXPOSED PUBLISHER CALLS FOR ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF CORPORATION COUNSEL LORETTA HOTTINGER

Dear Mount Vernon Taxpayers:

The City of Mount Vernon under the direction of Mayor Clinton I. Young has taken a turn for the worse.  Taxes and political patronage jobs are way up and services are way down.   The word transparency is missing from the vocabulary of Mayor Young’s administration.

On Thursday February 24^th, 2010 before the City Council I called everyone’s attention to an epidemic that is threatening the democracy of the great City of Mount Vernon.  Political Prostitution, a highly contagious disease, is spreading rapidly through City Hall. 

While all of the councilmember’s did not agree with my analysis of Mount Vernon politics and the current state of City Hall, I remain steadfast in my quest for transparency and justice for all of Mount Vernon’s taxpayers.  The trouble with the politicians in Mount Vernon is that they would rather be ruined with praise than saved by criticism.

According to Random House dictionary, a politician is a seeker or holder of public office who is more concerned about winning favor or retaining power than about maintaining principles.  The definition of a prostitute is a person who willingly uses his or her talent or ability in a base and unworthy way, usually for money. 

The City of Mount Vernon has its share of “political prostitutes”.  This crime wave of political prostitution that is plaguing our great city is the greatest threat to transparency and democracy.  Absolute power corrupts absolutely. 

Mayor Young has already displayed to Mount Vernon taxpayers that he does not abide by written law.  This is obvious with the appointment of the Inspector General Harry Stokes, Deputy Human Resources Commissioner Jennifer Coker-Wiggins, and the Deputy Commissioner of Recreation.  These individuals do not meet the minimum qualifications for employment as mandated by the City Charter.  In Stokes case, he does not meet the minimum qualifications and he is in violation of the residency requirements as mandated by the City Charter.

When we have a Mayor that does not abide by the law, his inept followers are going to follow in his footsteps.  The Corporation Counsel’s office under the direction of Loretta Hottinger lacks integrity.  As legal advisor to all City departments including the Mayor and the City Council, Hottinger cannot be trusted to act in the best interest of the City.  Hottinger is merely a ‘political prostitute’ looking for favor from the party bosses.  That is how she was appointed to the City Council in 1998 and that is how she was appointed to Corporation Counsel in 2009.  Hottinger an officer of the court is unable to think for herself.  Instead, she relies on another imbecile for direction, her husband Ronald Detres, 2^nd Vice-Chairman of the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee. 

For as long as I can remember, Detres and Hottinger have always dreamed of Hottinger one day becoming a Judge in the City of Mount Vernon.  Their hopes and dreams came crashing down when Mayor Ernest Davis appointed Mark Gross to the bench.  Unable to complete their mission and turn their fantasy into reality, Hottinger and Detres turned to another political pimp, Mayor Clinton Young.  They now had a chance to settle the score with Mayor Davis by backing his opponent in the race for Mayor in 2007.  Detres would then proclaim himself to be the savior in Fleetwood that got Mayor Young elected. 

The Corporation Counsel’s Office under the direction of Loretta Hottinger and without lawful authority assumed the role of “Records Access Officer” for the City of Mount Vernon.  Accordingly, all Freedom of Information Law [FOIL] requests are filed with the law department.  After such requests are filed, the law department then forwards the requests to the various departments that the FOIL requests may pertain to.  After the records are gathered they are then sent back to the Law Department for final processing.  The FOIL process can take weeks if not months to get basic information from city departments and agencies. 

 The NYS Freedom of Information laws were enacted in 1976 in an attempt to overcome the crisis in American politics occasioned by Watergate.  It is this State’s version of laws adopted nationwide, most commonly referred to as the ‘Sunshine Laws’, which were intended to restore the public’s faith in governmental bodies by encouraging them to conduct business in a public manner. 

On Thursday, February 25, 2010 at approximately 12:10 P.M., I stopped by the Law Department to hand deliver a letter to Corporation Counsel Loretta Hottinger.  A week prior, I had received a telephone call from Brenda Gears informing me that some of my records that I had requested several months ago were now ready.  Ms. Gears also had informed me that the records were turned over to Assistant Corporation Counsel Joana Aggrey for review.  Joana Aggrey is the wife of John Boykin, the disgraced, foul mouthed punk and former Special Assistant to Mayor Clinton Young.  These records were the resumes and employment applications of Traci Proctor, Director of Office of the Aging; Yolanda Robinson, Chief of Staff; and Loretta Hottinger, Corporation Counsel. 

After I handed in the letter addressed to Loretta Hottinger, I had requested the records that Ms. Gears had told me were ready.  After a few minutes or so, Ms. Gears returned to the front counter and said she was told to tell me by Assistant Corporation Counsel Joana Aggrey that I could not get the documents because I had an outstanding balance of $11.25.  I then explained to Ms. Gears that I did not have an outstanding balance with the Department of Law.  Ms. Gears then went back to Joana Aggrey and returned with a letter signed by Assistant Corporation Counsel Joana Aggrey.  The letter was dated February 24^th, 2010 and stated that I had an outstanding balance with the Department of Law.  The letter also stated that all of my future FOIL requests will not be processed until the balance that I supposedly owed was paid in full.  However, the letter drafted and signed by Joana Aggrey failed to disclose what records the outstanding balance was for. 

After briefly analyzing the situation I realized that Ms. Gears was a referencing a FOIL request that I had submitted to the law department on September 28^th, 2009 at 11:39 A.M.  I had requested to inspect all investigative reports submitted to the Mayor, Comptroller, and/or the City Council by or on behalf of Inspector General Harry Stokes.  The due date for me to receive the FOIL requests back from the City of Mount Vernon was October 27^th, 2009. 

Application to Inspect Public Records

On January 13^th, 2010 I received a letter signed by Joana Aggrey stating the records that I requested were available.  Ms. Aggrey stated that was a ($0.25) cent per page copying fee.  As such, the total cost for the records is ($11.25).  However, I never requested copies of the above mentioned records.  I simply requested to inspect the records. 

Letter From Joana Aggrey

A few days later, I viewed the records and refused to pay for the records because I did not request copies of the records.  After viewing the records I realized that they did not contain any new information.  The records that were made available to me contained only two reports that were previously made public by the Inspector General.  The reports were the OIG report on PILOTS and a report about ‘Abuse of Authority’.  The latter report was about the controversial payments to the law firm of Wilson & Elser.  Judge Rory Bellantoni ruled that the City Council ‘lacked authority’ when they illegally retained the law firm. 

It was quite evident that Ms. Aggrey was angry that she was categorized as one of the ‘political prostitutes’ the night before.  Her actions only validated my statement that ‘political prostitutes’ are the greatest threat to transparency and democracy in the City of Mount Vernon. 

Loretta Hottinger and her trusted sidekick Joana Aggrey violate state and federal laws on daily basis.  They are so afraid of the public; they sit in the back in their cubby holes while conveniently using their staff to do their dirty work.  Hottinger and Aggrey are afraid of being caught on tape violating the NYS FOIL law and my federal civil rights as guaranteed by the United States Constitution.

The involvement of staff not familiar with the present situation at hand causes unnecessary stress and creates a work environment that is not conducive for conducting the people’s business.  In the end it is only the taxpayers that suffer. 

After a brief discussion with Ms. Gears, it was quite clear that her hands were tied and she was only following orders.  Ms. Gears had a look of frustration on her face.  Prior to Ms. Hottinger becoming Corporation Counsel, my requests were handled by Ms. Gears.  Ms. Gears always treated me in a professional and courteous manner.  She always kept me abreast on the statuses of my FOIL request. 

After Ms. Hottinger took over as Corporation Counsel, service and professionalism in the law department started to rapidly go downhill.  My FOIL requests were being extensively delayed and in many cases have gone unanswered.  I was informed that Joana Aggrey was now my personal representative that handled only my FOIL requests.  Ms. Gears was no longer handling my FOIL requests.  I came to realize this by the shoddy service that I was now receiving. 

During a January 8^th, 2010 meeting that I had with Ms. Hottinger, I explained to her that I no longer wanted Joana Aggrey handling my FOIL requests.  I further explained that it was a conflict of interest for her to handle my FOIL requests because her husband is John Boykin, the foul mouth punk that threatened me.  I stated that Joana Aggrey is unable to carry out her duties in a fair and impartial manner.  Hottinger disagreed.  She refused to honor my request.  That only validated my suspicions that that Joana Aggrey was screening my FOIL requests and was only letting me have the information that the powers that be told her to release to me.

I was continuing to read the paper that Ms.Gears had given to me signed by Joana Aggrey.  Ms. Aggrey after a few minutes walked passed me as she was leaving the office.  I tried to get her attention to get an understanding about the foolishness she had typed on the paper.  After calling her name several times, she responded “I have nothing to say to you”.  Joana Aggrey makes it a habit to leave the office when I come in. She knows that she is the only one that handles my FOIL requests so I must then wait for her to return to be serviced.  I have been documenting her actions and reckless behavior for the past six months and in the coming days Joana Aggrey and Loretta Hottinger will be the recipients of several lawsuits. 

The United States Constitution doesn’t mean anything to Loretta Hottinger and Joana Aggrey, specifically the 14^th amendment, §1 to the United States Constitution. 

The 14^th Amendment §1 states:

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

In addition to violating my Federal civil rights, Corporation Counsel Loretta Hottinger and Joana Aggrey violate systemically violate the NYS Freedom Of Information Law.  In the letter that Ms. Aggrey has addressed to me she incorrectly cited the statute pertaining to FOIL requests.  Ms. Aggrey stated, that the FOIL law provides agencies with a least 20 business days in which to respond to a request by either providing the records or state a date certain within a reasonable period in which record will be provided.  After such time, the requestor has 30 days in which to file an appeal.  

However, Ms. Aggrey was incorrect with her interpretation on the NYS Freedom of Information Law.  The NYS Freedom of Information Law states:

Each entity subject to the provisions of this article, within five business days of the receipt of a written request for a record reasonably described, shall make such record available to the person requesting it, deny such request in writing or furnish a written acknowledgment of the receipt of such request and a statement of the approximate date, which shall be reasonable under the circumstances of the request, when such request will be granted or denied, including, where appropriate, a statement that access to the record will be determined in accordance with subdivision five of this section

After realizing that I wasn’t getting the service that was due to me, I informed the law department staff that I will sit there all day until I was serviced.  I soon realized that they would enjoy me being inconvenienced, so I had to think of a better solution. 

The Law Department then dispatched another imbecile, Assistant Corporation Counsel Hina Sherwani to the front counter to address my situation.  I tried to explain the situation to Ms. Sherwani but I just couldn’t get through that thick head of hers.  She kept insisting that I dispute the fees through an appeal.  I kept telling her that wasn’t necessary and that we could straighten it out right then and there.  Ms. Sherwani has also joined the gang of ‘political prostitutes’ running wild in Mount Vernon.  After a few minutes Ms. Sherwani returned to her cubby hole.  I displayed my dissatisfaction with her behavior by calling her an idiot.

 

I realized that Joana Aggrey, Hina Sherwani, and Loretta Hottinger in addition to violating my Federal civil rights were committing several crimes.  I then decided to call the Mount Vernon Police Department.  I knew this incident would be documented and I could use the testimony of the police officers in a court of law. 

At 12:23 I called over to the police department requesting that an officer be dispatched to the City of Mount Vernon Law Department.  After about 15 minutes or so, 3 police officers arrived to the Law Department.  I explained to the officers the situation that was taking place and that the Law Department was trying to make me pay for goods that I did not receive.  Even the police officer did not understand the foolishness written on the paper signed by Joana Aggrey. 

I told the police officers that I wanted Joana Aggrey and Loretta Hottinger arrested and charged with the various crimes that were being committed.  Specifically, tampering with public records in the 2^nd Degree and Official Misconduct. 

§ 175.20 of NYS Penal Law states:

§175.20 Tampering with public records in the second degree.

  A person is guilty of tampering with public records in the second

degree when, knowing that he does not have the authority of anyone

entitled to grant it, he knowingly removes, mutilates, destroys,

conceals, makes a false entry in or falsely alters any record or other

written instrument filed with, deposited in, or otherwise constituting a

record of a public office or public servant.

  Tampering with public records in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor.

§195.00 of NYS Penal Law states:

195.00 Official misconduct.

  A public servant is guilty of official misconduct when, with intent to

obtain a benefit or deprive another person of a benefit:

  1. He commits an act relating to his office but constituting an

unauthorized exercise of his official functions, knowing that such act

is unauthorized; or

  2. He knowingly refrains from performing a duty which is imposed upon

him by law or is clearly inherent in the nature of his office.

  Official misconduct is a class A misdemeanor.

It was becoming increasingly clear that the police officers on the scene were not aware or familiar with the NYS Penal law or that the police officers were told not told arrest Loretta Hottinger and Joana Aggrey for the various crimes that were being committed.  It was apparent that Mayor Young and/or the top brass at the MVPD were obstructing justice.

Just recently Governor Paterson announced that he was not seeking re-election due to speculation that he may have tampered with a criminal investigation involving one of his top aides.  Mayor Young and/or top brass at MVPD were engaging in the same perfidious activities.  A formal request for a criminal investigation into this matter was sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and The United States Attorney’s office. 

One of the police officers went in the back to speak with Loretta Hottinger to discuss the matter.  After a few minutes the officer returned.  He stated that Ms. Hottinger requested that she doesn’t wish to speak with me. 

Within 3 minutes of the officer’s return to the lobby of the Law Department, all of a sudden documents that I had requested in October 2009 were now being made available to me.  It seemed as if someone was holding a match to their rear end.  I have never seen the law department employees scurry in the past as I was witnessing today. 

In the end, I received some of the documents that I requested.  If I run into this situation in the future, I will call the Mount Vernon Police Department to the Law Department again to the Law Department.  I will even make sure that a few news cameras and reporters show so up that the taxpayers of Mount Vernon can witness firsthand Loretta Hottinger, Hina Sherwani, and Joana Aggrey violating my civil rights and the NYS Penal Law. 

Is Loretta Hottinger the type of person we would want to see as a Judge in the City of Mount Vernon?

Sincerely,

Samuel L. Rivers

Publisher

Mount Vernon Exposed™®

UPDATE: MOUNT VERNON COUNCILMAN STEVEN HORTON VIOLATES FEDERAL LAW #4; HORTON CONTINUES TO WORK HARD FOR NEW ROCHELLE TAXPAYERS

EMBATTLED MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCILMAN STEVEN HORTON

Mount Vernon City Councilman Steven Horton has been busy working hard for New Rochelle taxpayers.  In fact, he has been so busy Horton has helped bring in about $7Million in federal funds for The New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority.  In November 2009, a complaint was filed against Councilman Steven Horton with the United States Office of Special Counsel for violating the Hatch Act. 

The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of individuals principally employed by state or local executive agencies and who work in connection with programs financed in whole or in part by federal loans or grants.  From 1999 to 2008 The New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority received $5,932,045 in Federal funds.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® filed a freedom of information request with The Department of Housing and Urban Development to gain access to the data.   

FEDERAL MONIES TO THE NEW ROCHELLE MUNICIPAL HOUSING AUTHORITY

On February 2^nd, 2010 Councilman Horton held a press conference announcing that The New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority received an additional $1 Million of Federal funds to renovate 50 Sickles, 111 Lockwood Avenue and 345-361 Main Street, buildings controlled by The New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority. 

Councilman Horton and his alleged violation of federal law pose a conflict of interest.  Did Councilman Horton purposely sabotage federal funds earmarked for The City of Mount Vernon so that The City of New Rochelle would benefit?  How much money did Councilman Horton bring into the City of Mount Vernon during his tenure as Councilman?  These questions and dozens of others are on the minds of Mount Vernon taxpayers.  It appears that Councilman Steve Horton’s first love is his high paying full time job as the Executive Director of The New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority.  It is in the best in of Mount Vernon taxpayers that Steve Horton resigns effective immediately as Councilman in The City of Mount Vernon.  Steve Horton should relocate to New Rochelle and run for elective office in New Rochelle if that is his desire to enrich him and others.

The fate of Councilman Steve Horton is now in the hands of The United States Office of Special Counsel.  If Councilman Horton is found to be covered (in violation of) The Hatch Act, the United States Office of Special Counsel may seek disciplinary action before the Merit Systems Protection Board. 

If the Merit Systems Protection Board (“Board”) finds that an employee violated the Hatch Act and that the violation warrants dismissal from employment, the employing agency must either remove the employee or forfeit a portion of its federal assistance equal to two years salary of the employee. If within eighteen months of his removal, the employee becomes employed by a state or local agency within the same state, then that agency, or the agency from which the employee was removed, may lose some of its federal funding.

Hatch Act Presentation

WHO IS JAMES DICKERSON AND WHAT WAS HIS ROLE IN THE $1.7 MILLION URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY SCANDAL?

JAMES  DICKERSON AKA JAIME

OWNER OF RESOLUTION TRUST REALTY

CLOSE PAL OF MAYOR CLINTON I. YOUNG

MAYOR CLINTON I. YOUNG


SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORT 

 Just what does it exactly take to become a part of Mayor Young administration?  What is Mayor Young’s plan for development in the City of Mount Vernon?  Mount Vernon taxpayers are scratching their heads as they try to figure out the answer to these questions.  The Mayor has filled his administration and surrounded himself with convicted criminals, unqualified people, and dangerous thugs. 

Let’s not forget, Mayor Young hired an Inspector General that conveniently did not disclose on his employment application, his prior affiliation with the law firm Aiello & Cannick and the Mount Vernon Board of Education.  Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee Chairman Deveaux Cannick is a partner of Aiello & Cannick.  If the Inspector General wanted to truly find put where the missing section 8 money is, he would have to look no further than those currently aligned with Mayor Clinton Young.

There are several players who choose to remain behind the scenes because of their troubled pasts.  One creepy fellow, James A. Dickerson hereinafter referred to as “Jamie” or “Dickerson” is frequently seen coming and going from City Hall several times a week.  Jamie is an extremely close friend and ally of Mayor Clinton Young.  Jamie worked feverishly on Mayor Young’s campaign time even though he was a registered Republican at the time. 

Many residents are probably wondering just what does Jamie do?  Jamie is a Licensed Real Estate Broker that worked for the Investment Brokerage firm Marcus and Millichap in Manhattan prior to Mayor Young’s candidacy.  After Mayor Young announced his candidacy for Mayor, Jamie left his post at Marcus and Millichap.  He then began to work full-time for Mayor Young’s campaign. 

Prior to working for Marcus and Millichap, Jaime owned a real estate company called Premier Real Estate of Westchester.  One of Jamie’s former agents is under federal scrutiny for questionable business activity and suspicious transactions.  Premier Real Estate of Westchester is now non-existent.  Jamie formed a new company called Resolution Trust Realty. 

JAIME DICKERSON’S CREEPY PAST AS A PUBLIC SERVANT

Jamie Dickerson was previously employed several years ago working for the City of Mount Vernon in the Department of Planning.  While working for the City of Mount Vernon Dickerson engaged in alleged illegal and unethical activity and was subsequently fired from City Hall by former Mayor Ernie Davis.  It has been told to Mount Vernon Exposed™® by a source familiar with Jamie’s past employment with City Hall, which Jamie was one of only two persons fired by Mayor Davis during his 12 year reign as Mayor.  The source also gave Mount Vernon Exposed details of the alleged corruption and unethical activity involving Jamie Dickerson. 

The source for the purposes of this story will be referred to as “The Informant”.  During our interview with the informant we were told that Dickerson was allegedly directly and indirectly involved in the corruption in the Planning Department that resulted in The City of Mount Vernon overbilling The Department of Housing and Urban Development $1.7M dollars. 

Here is how the alleged scheme went:
READ THE HUD INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT

Jamie Dickerson and others while employed for The Department of Planning allegedly engaged in an elaborate scheme to enrich themselves. The HUD Office of Inspector General released a report on February 16^th, 2006 regarding the HUD section 8 program that was being administered in Mount Vernon.  The HUD Office of Inspector General discovered severe mismanagement of Federal funds during its findings.  The HUD report also states that the auditee (City of Mount Vernon) did not use or maintain Section 8 waiting list in accordance with HUD requirements.  The tenants selected by Mount Vernon to receive section 8 assistance were not on the auditee’s Federal mandated waiting list but were selected from The City of Mount Vernon’s own waiting list.

Jamie Dickerson and others working with an Inspector in The Department of Planning allegedly conspired to break Federal law for personal gain.  Dickerson and others allegedly engaged in a massive pay to play scheme with the Inspector working for The Department of Planning.  The Inspector’s job was to ensure that the federally subsidized units were up to HUD standards.  The Inspector had plans of his own to enrich himself courtesy of Mount Vernon taxpayers. 

The Inspector would intentionally fail some of the apartment inspections when he was inspecting apartments for other persons and Real Estate Brokers not affiliated with Dickerson and others.  The Inspector allegedly would then pass the information about the failed apartment inspection to Dickerson and others.  Dickerson and others allegedly would then prepare paperwork and prepare the apartment for inspection for one of their “preferred clients” The Inspector would then go back out and pass the apartment for inspection. 

Dickerson would then allegedly submit an invoice to The Westchester Department of Social Services and/or The City of Mount Vernon for payment of a broker fee as if he had done the rental as a person not employed or affiliated with City Hall.  Dickerson would then allegedly divide the broker fee that he received from The Westchester County Department of Social Service and/or The City of Mount Vernon with the conspirators including the Inspector. 

The informant stated that this scheme went on for several years possibly resulting in Dickerson and others receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments they were not entitled to. 

The HUD Inspector General noted in his report that during the on-site inspection of 8 units, it was found that the Inspector working for the City of Mount Vernon did not properly apply HUD’s housing quality standards. Two of the units also failed because of ceiling, wall cracks, and peeling paint; however these conditions did not meet the threshold for failure according to the HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program Guidebook 7420.10(G).  The results of the inspections conducted by the HUD Inspector General were discussed with HUD officials who concurred that housing quality standards were incorrectly applied in these two cases.  HUD’s review of 30 tenant files disclosed two cases with insufficient documentation that prior conditions that caused the units to fail had been rectified.  HUD officials further noted that while there was no evidence that the conditions causing the failure had been rectified, it was noted that the same units passed inspection before the tenant certifications in 2005.  The units in questions had failed inspections during the tenant certifications in 2004.  The HUD Inspector General subsequently recommended that the City of Mount Vernon Urban Renewal Agency reimburse HUD $13,779 in housing assistance payments that were improperly paid in 2004 and 2005 for the unit lacking documentation that the housing quality standard violations were corrected, and to ensure that the unit complies with housing quality standards, thus resulting in $5,512 in funds to be put to better use for the remainder of the contract period.

There are still several “persons of interest” still working for the City of Mount Vernon that participated in this elaborate and complex pay-to-play scheme.

JAMIE DICKERSON AND INSPECTOR TERMINATED FROM CITY HALL

The news of the illegal activity that was taking place in The Department of Planning and the Urban Renewal Agency made its way to Mayor Ernie Davis’ office. The informant said Mayor Davis’ was extremely angry that Dickerson and others were allegedly operating a criminal enterprise from City Hall.  Mayor Davis terminated Dickerson and the Inspector without hesitation.  The informant stated that Dickerson and the Inspector are the only two persons ever fired by Mayor Davis prior to the Mayoral race of 2007.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® filed a Freedom of Information request with the City of Mount Vernon seeking personnel records and all payments issued to Jamie Dickerson and the Inspector during his tenure at City Hall.   The City of Mount Vernon has not answered the request nor did it provide a date of when the requested information would become available as required by New York State law. 

JAMIE DICKERSON JOINS MAYOR YOUNG CAMP

Seeking retribution and an opportunity to avenge his firing, Dickerson did not miss the chance to join forces with Mayor Young to help unseat Dickerson’s former boss, Mayor Davis.  Dickerson was very involved in the campaign of Mayor Young, working long hours.  The informant revealed that Dickerson was allegedly going around town stating that this was his last opportunity to make it (citing his age of 50+) and was not going to let anyone stand in the way of his success.

During and after the election, upon information and belief, Mayor Young introduced Jamie Dickerson to several union bosses, businessmen, and real estate developers as his real estate guy.  Dickerson told several persons that he was the “gatekeeper” and that he was there to protect the Mayor to make sure that developers are financially able to build the projects that they are proposing. 

All of this “gatekeeper” talk did not initially sit well with another Mayor Young crony, Kenneth Plummer of Kensworth Consulting. A Real Estate Broker that was interview by Mount Vernon Exposed™® spoke about a telephone call that he received from Kenneth Plummer after Mayor Young was elected to office.  The broker stated that Plummer wanted to know if Jamie was going around telling folks if all real estate development has to go through him.  Plummer further stated that if in fact Dickerson was engaging in the alleged illegal conduct, Dickerson was engaging in Racketeering. 

Mount Vernon Exposed™® expressed these concerns and allegations with dozens of Real Estate Brokers in Mount Vernon. 

While Dickerson and Plummer gave the appearance to various real estate brokers in Mount Vernon that they hated each other, this was not the case.  These two individuals were far from enemies.  Dickerson and Plummer were simply testing the waters and wanted to find out what Mount Vernon real estate brokers new about their newly formed alliance with City Hall and Mayor Young.

Plummer has since reaped huge financial rewards from one developer that gave a substantial contribution to Mayor Young’s campaign for Mayor.  Atlantic Development Group aka Blue Rio, LLC has retained Plummer as a lobbyist to seek approvals to build a massive affordable housing complex in downtown Mount Vernon. 

JAMIE DICKERSON ENGAGES IN VIOLENT BEHAVIOR AGAINST THOSE THAT OPPOSE MAYOR YOUNG

Jamie Dickerson has displayed a consistent pattern of violent behavior against those that are opposed to Mayor Clinton Young and his administration.  Dickerson at times, engaged in physical altercations.  On one occasion in The City of Mount Vernon courthouse, Dickerson violently assaulted and harassed a city resident because he was unhappy that the resident openly displayed his dissatisfaction for the administration of Mayor Young. 

The resident subsequently filed a police report and wanted to pursue criminal charges, but corrupt Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore’s office chose to look the other way because she was seeking the support of the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee.  In fact, DiFiore has never investigated any allegation of corruption in Mount Vernon.  It has been repeatedly said that The United States Attorney’s office does not share intelligence of investigations with DiFiore’s office because of her alleged ties to organized crime. 

On December 16^th, 2009 there was a public hearing held before the City Council about the proposed Atlantic Development project on Gramatan Avenue.  Before the hearing commenced, Dickerson spoke to two residents in the hallway and asked them to not bash and embarrass the developer.  The residents stated that it is their constitutional right to redress their grievances and that is what they intended to do.

After one resident spoke out against the proposed Atlantic Development and returned to his seat, Dickerson threatened the individual with bodily harm.  It was later learned that Dickerson had assumed the role of enforcer for Mayor Young.

ALLEGATIONS OF INTIMIDATION AND BRIBERY OF MOUNT VERNON CITY OFFICIALS

After Mayor Young won the election in 2007, Dickerson and others met with various holdover officials from Mayor Davis’ administration.  One meeting should be of great concern to Mount Vernon taxpayers.  It has been alleged that Dickerson and others had a meeting with former Buildings Commissioner Ralph Tedesco. Tedesco already nervous and on edge about becoming unemployed quickly came on board with Mayor Young’s administration.  It has been alleged that Dickerson and others told Tedesco if he did what his was told to do, he would be cut in on the action and would be taken care of.

Mayor Young was very well aware of how dysfunctional the buildings department was.  This was the key reason if not the only reason he was elected to office.  Instead of firing Tedesco, Mayor Young chose to keep him under advice from his henchmen Dickerson and others.  Mayor Young had now received word that Tedesco was ready to play ball. 

Boykin during his 69 minute tape recorded rant with Mount Vernon Democratic District Leader Samuel L. Rivers stated that Tedesco has found out what it takes to survive from administration to administration.  Boykin’s infamous taped recorded conversation is the blue print for corruption among public servants and also the map for investigators seeking to bring these heathens to justice for siphoning and embezzling taxpayer monies.

John Boykin was also going around town bragging that he and Dickerson had dinner with another City official at the Guardia Lombardi club, a private Italian-American club located on Putnam Street in Mount Vernon.  Boykin was even bragging that this official was now onboard with Mayor Young and had even invited them to an exclusive Cigar Lounge in NYC that he was a member of.

Mayor Young must have been proud of his henchmen taking the initiative to meet with City officials that posed a threat to his administration.  Mayor Young will continue to keep his hands clean and work through his henchmen. 

QUESTIONABLE BUSINESS ACTIVITY WITH CITY OFFICIALS

A source familiar with Jamie Dickerson told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Dickerson and DPW Commissioner Terrence Horton were preparing to go into business together even after Horton was appointed to DPW Commissioner.  The first venture that these two scoundrels were embarking on was the famous Quality Ford site that Mount Vernon residents heard Mayor Young speak about during his taped recorded conversation with Westchester Guardian Publisher Sam Zherka.   Mayor Young during the conversation, named key players that were going to instrumental in the real estate development process in Mount Vernon. 

It is alleged that Horton set up an entity that was going to be used to as the development company while he is employed as DPW Commissioner.  Horton allegedly tried to sell Dickerson and others shares in this company upwards of $200K.  Horton was to be the developer for the site at Quality Ford.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® has learned that there is currently a deal on the table for the construction of a hotel at the Quality Ford site.  Dickerson is allegedly the real estate Broker handling this transaction. 

JAMIE DICKERSON’S CLOSE ALLIANCE WITH MAYOR YOUNG PAYS OFF

All of Jamie Dickerson’s hard work on Mayor Young campaign did not go in vain.  Dickerson was able to secure employment for his longtime girlfriend, Tracy Thompson in Mayor Young’s office.  Tracy Thompson is the daughter of NYS Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson.  During Mayor Young’s taped conversation with Westchester Guardian publisher Sam Zherka, Mayor Young told Zherka that Jaime didn’t want a job in City Hall, but instead he insisted that Dickerson give his girlfriend a job.  Tracy Thompson is Executive Assistant to Mayor Young.  Mayor Young described Tracy Thompson as “being loyal as a motherfucker” during the tape recorded conversation.

Does Senator Thompson know of Jaime Dickerson’s creepy past? Does she know about his violent outbursts and threats of bodily harm to those that oppose Mayor Young?  If Senator Thompson is aware, then she must not be re-elected to the senate this year.

JAIME DICKERSON’S REPUBLICAN -VS-DEMOCRAT BATTLE

Mount Vernon Exposed™® through a Freedom of Information request obtained all voter registration cards on file with the Westchester County Board of Elections.  It appears that Jaime Dickerson has struggled with identifying with the ideals of one particular political party.  It would appear Dickerson would seek to join the political party that was “popular” at the time.

·         June 19^th, 1981- James Dickerson registers to vote as a Republican.  135 Vista Place Mount Vernon, NY 10550 is address provided to BOE.

·         May 10^th, 1995- James Dickerson changes address on file at BOE to 151 South 7^th #104 Mount Vernon, NY 10550.  Remains in Republican Party.

·         May 19^th, 1997-James Dickerson changes address of file at BOE to 531 E. Lincoln Avenue #2B, Mount Vernon, NY 10552.  Dickerson switches his enrollment to the Democratic Party.

·         October 8^th, 2002 James Dickerson switches his enrollment back to the Republican Party.  Address on file with BOE remains the same.

·         November 29^th, 2007- James Dickerson switches his enrollment back to the Democratic Party.  Address on file with BOE remains the same

VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS FOR JAMES A. DICKERSON

JAMIE DICKERSON ALLEGED CORRUPTION ACTIVITIES SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION

In addition to the numerous Federal crimes allegedly committed by Dickerson and others, Dickerson faces several NYS criminal felonies.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® though a Freedom of Information request obtained all voter registration cards on file with the Westchester County Board of Elections.  James Dickerson has filed several false registrations with the Westchester County Board of Elections.  Dickerson affirmed that the information being submitted to the BOE was true and he further understood that if the information in not true he can be convicted and fined up to $5000 and/or jailed for up to four years.  If Dickerson did indeed file false registrations with the Westchester BOE he is guilty of a felony.

§175.35 of NYS Penal Law

 Offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree

  A person is guilty of offering a false instrument for filing in the

first degree when, knowing that a written instrument contains a false

statement or false information, and with intent to defraud the state or

any political subdivision, public authority or public benefit

corporation of the state, he offers or presents it to a public office,

public servant, public authority or public benefit corporation with the

knowledge or belief that it will be filed with, registered or recorded

in or otherwise become a part of the records of such public office,

public servant, public authority or public benefit corporation.

  Offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree is a class E felony.

§ 17-104 of NYS Election Law

False Registration

Any person who:

1. Registers or attempts to register as an elector in more than one

election district for the same election, or more than once in the same election

district; or,

2. Registers or attempts to register as an elector, knowing that he will

not be a qualified voter in the district at the election for which such registration

is made; or

3. Registers or attempts to register as an elector under any name but

his own; or

4. Knowingly gives a false residence within the election district when

registering as an elector; or

5. Knowingly permits, aids, assists, abets, procures, commands or

advises another to commit any such act, is guilty of a felony.

But Dickerson did not stop there.  Dickerson would continue to vote in a district where he did not reside.  The informant told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Dickerson used to reside in Pelham for several years despite the fact that he continued to vote in Mount Vernon.  Dickerson listed a phone number of (914) 664-8449 as his home telephone number on his voter registration card with the Westchester County BOE.  A search into this phone number confirmed the information brought forth by the informant.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® visited whitepages.com and did a reverse search of Dickerson’s phone number.  The search revealed two listings, one of which confirmed the telephone number (914) 664-8449 being linked to the Pelham address; 153 5^th Avenue, Pelham, NY 10803.  If these allegations are indeed true, James Dickerson is guilty of illegal voting, a felony.

JAMES DICKERSON BUSINESS DOCUMENTS

§ 17-132 of NYS Election Law

Illegal Voting

Any person who:

1. Knowingly votes or offers or attempts to vote at any election, when

not qualified; or,

2. Procures, aids, assists, counsels or advises any person to go or

come into any election district, for the purpose of voting at any election,

knowing that such person is not qualified; or,

3. Votes or offers or attempts to vote at an election, more than once;

or votes or offers or attempts to vote at an election under any other name than

his own; or votes or offers or attempts to vote at an election, in an election

district or from a place where he does not reside; or,

4. Procures, aids, assists, commands or advises another to vote or

offer or attempt to vote at an election, knowing that such person is not

qualified to vote thereat; or,

5. Prompts a person, applying to vote, to falsely answer questions put

to him by the inspectors concerning his identity or qualifications for voting; or,

6. Being an applicant for an absentee voter’s ballot, makes a material

false statement in his application, or a person who makes a material false

statement in a medical certificate or an affidavit filed in connection with an

application for an absentee voter’s ballot; or,

7. Not being a qualified absentee voter, and having knowledge or

being chargeable with knowledge of that fact, votes or attempts to vote as an

absentee voter; or,

8. Fraudulently signs the name of another upon an absentee voter’s

envelope or aids in doing or attempting to do a fraudulent act in connection

with an absentee vote cast or attempted to be cast; or,

9. Falsely pretends or represents to the inspectors of election or any of

them that he is incapacitated to mark his ballot, for the purpose of obtaining

assistance in voting under the provisions of this chapter, is guilty of a felony.

Any offer or attempt under this section shall be deemed to be the

doing of any act made necessary by this chapter preliminary to the delivery of

a ballot to an elector or the deposit of the ballot in the ballot box or his

admission to the booth or voting machine enclosure.

The same phone number is also linked to several other addresses in Mount Vernon.  A search was also done with The New York State Department of State, the licensing agency for Dickerson’s real estate license.  Dickerson listed an address of 164 Oakland Avenue Mount Vernon, NY and P.O. Box 212 Pelham, NY 10803 as the address of his company Resolution Trust Realty.  P.O. Box 212 is Dickerson’s mailing address.  It is NYS law that Real Estate Broker firms maintain a physical location.

The property located at 164 Oakland Avenue is currently in foreclosure.  No sale date has been set for the property.  Dickerson moved into the property in February 2008 and has been aggressively seeking to purchase the distressed property.  The property sold for over $600K less than 5 years ago and Dickerson was attempting to purchase the property at $371K.  The $371K price being offered to the bank was inclusive of a $21,000 seller’s concession.  A seller’s concession is when the bank allows the borrower to finance their closing costs into the mortgage.  A search with the Westchester County Clerk’s office has revealed that Dickerson is not the owner of the property even though he occupies the property as his office.  Dickerson has even turned on utilities in his name at 164 Oakland Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10552

Mount Vernon Exposed™® obtained a copy of the sales contract executed by James A. Dickerson.  The contract is dated February 29^th, 2008.   On the contract Dickerson lists his address c/o Hannah Gross, ESQ at 9 W. Prospect Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550.  Hannah Gross is the wife of Mount Vernon City Court Judge Mark Gross.  Judge Gross has come under fire recently for being improperly listed as an employee with The City of Mount Vernon while being of counsel to The City of Mount Vernon Water Department.  A complaint has since been filed with The NYS Attorney General’s office and the NYS Comptroller’s office.  Hannah Gross is a politically connected attorney that was appointed by Devereaux Cannick to the Executive Committee of The Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee.  Hannah Gross was also appointed to the law committee by Westchester Democratic Committee Chairman and Election Commissioner Reginald Lafayette.

FINDINGS OF FACT

Mayor Clinton Young has missed his opportunity to repair the negative image of Mount Vernon.  Instead of filling City Hall with bright and articulate professionals, Mayor Young chose to travel down cronyism and nepotism highway.  Mayor Young stated last month in an article that appeared in The Journal News that the onus is on the Federal Government to investigate, prosecute and recover the $1.7 M was mismanaged in City Hall.  Mayor Young made it crystal clear that he had no interest in pursuing the missing loot.  Any investigation into the missing funds would send his pal Jamie Dickerson away for a long, long time.

Mount Vernon Exposed™® rarely agrees with Mayor Young, however we agree with his statement.  That is why Mount Vernon Exposed™® forwarded a copy of this report to Federal authorities for an immediate investigation into the missing funds.  Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore cannot be trusted to investigate anyone that is politically connected to her office.  Janet DiFiore now has the opportunity to prove many wrong and defend her office.  Janet DiFiore must investigate and prosecute Mount Vernon Officials.  Not now, but right now. 

The allegations presented herein warrant further investigation.  The findings of any such investigation must be immediately reported to Mount Vernon taxpayers.