CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT MARCUS GRIFFITH UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR EXTORTION AND STEALING FROM MOUNT VERNON TAXPAYERS

CORRUPT CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
MARCUS GRIFFITH

On Friday January 2, 2015 Mayor Ernie Davis ensured that corruption and the money train would continue to move long after he is sentenced to jail later this month. 

Marcus Griffith, who only received 25% of the vote when he ran against Maureen Walker for Comptroller, was sworn in as the next City Council President.  There was a deliberate and skilled attempt by Councilmembers Roberta Apuzzo, Yuhanna Edwards, and Marcus Griffith to block Richard Thomas and Deborah Reynolds from becoming City Council Presidents.

The last few years,  Mount Vernon residents saw a ping-pong match between Councilmembers Yuhanna Edwards and Roberta Apuzzo being installed as President of the City Council.  Councilman Yuhanna Edwards and Roberta Apuzzo have been Council Presidents for the last 5 years. 

Conflicts of interest do exist in the City of Mount Vernon and it is the standard and normal way of doing business in the City of Mount Vernon.  It is common knowledge the Mayor Davis and Roberta Apuzzo have been alleged to be having an extra-marital affair for years,  and Councilman Yuhanna Edwards may be mentally ill and unable to continue to serve.   On several occasions, especially during his campaign for City Council and Mayor, Yuhanna Edwards told stories of how he used to kill people in Vietnam while he was in war.   Such erratic behavior falls inline with people who are suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome).   Councilman Edwards must come clean and resign if he indeed in diagnosed with PTSD.  That could explain why Yuhanna Edwards never makes any sense when addressing the public at City Council Meetings.  Was Councilman Yuhanna Edwards exposed to agent orange while in Vietnam?

Mayor Davis' latest hand picked puppet picked to replace his alleged long time mistress Roberta Apuzzo,  is under Federal investigation for extortion and official misconduct.  Sources say that City Council President Marcus Griffith's wife rented out a school to host one of her for-profit events and was supposed to reimburse taxpayers for the rental of the school facility which is owned by the Mount Vernon City School District which is ultimately owned by City of Mount Vernon taxpayers. 

When a bill was generated and sent out to his wife for payment, City Council President Marcus Griffith, in a fit of rage, stormed the Business Office at the Mount Vernon Board of Education and demanded that the bill be "wiped away".  Several employees that were present during Council President Griffith's violent rage reported to Mount Vernon Exposed that Marcus Griffith even invoked his official status as a City Councilmember,  and even went so far as to say that when he is sworn in as City Council President, that there would be no cooperation between the City of Mount Vernon and the Mount Vernon City School District.  City Council President Marcus Griffith was in his official capacity as a Councilmember when he visited the Board of Education. 

Griffith’s troubles don't end there.  Griffith came under fire when investigators from Mount Vernon Exposed called a tenant that resides in a property he owns at 115 E. Forth Street.   The tenant described Griffith as a slumlord and says that he fails to provide adequate heat during the winter months.  Roaches and mice also are a severe problem in Griffith's building according to the tenant. 

Griffith was also cited by the FCC for having an illegal radio station broadcast from his building at the same location. 

The scary part is that Marcus Griffith will become Mayor in the event that Ernie Davis must resign or is sentenced to jail.  Mount Vernon is in trouble.

Send Marcus to jail with Mayor Davis, perhaps they can become cellmates and trade crime stories about how they ruined the great city of Mount Vernon. 

COUNCILMAN YUHANNA EDWARDS' DESTRUCTIVE POLICIES HAVE DESTROYED THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON

EMBATTLED CITY COUNCILMAN YUHANNA EDWARDS

Every year, the City Council tries to bring the budget down, but they end up adopting huge tax increases. The same City Council, voted to bring in more affordable housing, with tax abatements (pilot programs) for developers. Low income, tax abated projects, are the worst thing any City Official can burden their citizens with, especially Mount Vernon, a city on life support. Mount Vernon, which is already overcrowded, will be busting at the seams with more residents. Since the developers of these buildings do not pay their fair share of taxes, the already struggling Mount Vernon Taxpayer will have to pay the extra cost to educate the children living in these developments, at a cost of $29,000 per student.

The same struggling taxpayer will also have to pay the bill for the vital services for the new residents, such as police, fire, water, and sewer, and Mount Vernon’s property taxes could double. Instead of these destructive policies, the City Council should bring in retail, and other tax generating businesses. City Councilman Yuhanna Edwards complains about City Councilwoman Debra Reynolds, but she is the only current Councilperson, who voted against these low-income developments.  Councilman Yuhanna Edwards and some of his colleagues have sold away Mount Vernon. What they have done is tantamount to crimes against the people of Mount Vernon. City Council members are elected to protect the interest of the citizens of Mount Vernon, however, they have pulled out the life support plug, which will surely lead to the destruction of our city.

When Mount Vernon Exposed interview Councilman Yuhanna Edwards, he stressed that Mount Vernon has total black leadership, yet we are a messed up city. He then defends Judith Johnson, the Superintendent of the worst school district in the state. Ms. Johnson heads a school system that does not educate anyone, especially children of color. Make no mistake about it, Math and English scores have gone down since Judith Johnson has been Superintendent.  Furthermore, Councilman Yuhanna Edwards was a strong backer of former Superintendent Welton Sawyer, who was without question, the worst Superintendent in United States history. He destroyed the district.  Councilman Yuhanna Edward’s also supports the churches that have meddled in Mount Vernon Schools for the past 20 years. Councilman Edwards’s policies have caused a tremendous amount of stress on Mount Vernon’s school system, by flooding it with students from all over the county.

What exactly has Councilman Yuhanna Edwards done as a Councilman to better the lives of the people of Mount Vernon? What has he done as a black Politician, to eliminate the misery and suffering his “brothers” and “sisters”have to go through on a daily basis in Mount Vernon? What plans does he have to make things better? Councilman Yuhanna Edwards is part of the problem, because he votes on legislation that hurts Mount Vernon. His policies raise taxes, and are responsible for Mount Vernon having the highest foreclosure rate in the state. Those foreclosures, overwhelmingly affect people of color, and the elderly.

Now the City Council wants to go into homes looking for basement apartments. What they do not understand is that the tax increases homeowners have been hit with in the last 20 years, have forced homeowners to look for extra income, just to stay afloat. As much as 40% of Mount Vernon homes will go into foreclosure without the income homeowners are collecting from these “basement” apartments, collapsing the housing market, and plunging Mount Vernon into financial Armageddon. Our City Council needs to understand what is really happening in this city. City Council members should be working to find ways to give homeowners tax relief, so that the housing issue can be resolved. The City and School District punished people by raising their taxes to obscene levels and now the City should find ways to help reduce high taxes, which have backed so many homeowners into a corner.

Yes, Councilman Yuhanna Edwards, black Politicians have failed the people of Mount Vernon.  You said that you are concerned with your legacy. You can start by taking responsibility for the damage you have caused.

Next, has Maureen Walker turned her back on the citizens of Mount Vernon?

MOUNT VERNON SCHOOL CHIEF JUDITH JUDITH JOHNSON REACHES OUT TO LOCAL POLITICIAN FOR HELP IN SILENCING CRITIC; COUNCILMAN YUHANNA EDWARDS REVEALS ALL ABOUT LOCAL POLITICS

EMBATTLED COUNCILMAN YUHANNA EDWARDS

On October 23 2013, Mount Vernon Exposed publisher Samuel L. Rivers was summoned to a meeting with Mount Vernon City Councilman Yuhanna Edwards.  The meeting was held at Councilman Edwards’ office located at 6 Gramatan Avenue.  Councilman Yuhanna Edwards was dispatched by Mount Vernon City School District School Superintendent Judith Johnson in attempt to silence Mr. Rivers from his public criticizing Judith Johnson’s failed policies and blatant corruption taking place at the Board of Education center. 

The embattled councilman has come under fire just recently for overriding the New York State Mandated 2% property tax cap.  Edwards conspired with fellow council members Marcus Griffith and Council President Roberta Apuzzo to approve an illegal budget that calls for a tax hike of 7.77% even those on fixed government incomes will receive a cost of living increase of slightly over 1%. 

When Mr. Rivers arrived at Councilman Edwards office, Councilman Edwards greeted Mr. Rivers and escorted Mr. Rivers to a back office/meeting room.  Both parties were seated and Councilman Edwards started to shoot the breeze and ask Mr. Rivers how everything was going?  Mr. Rivers told Mr. Councilman Edwards everything is fine and that he was focusing his energy on the school board because that is where the problems are.

Councilman Edwards then replied, “That’s what I want to talk to you about”.  “Why are you so hard on us”, asked Councilman Edwards.  “Hard on who”?  replied Rivers. “The city” answered Councilman Edwards.  “I’m not hard on the city,” said Rivers

Rivers then went on to explain to Councilman Edwards about the corruption and lack of oversight in the Mount Vernon School District.  Edwards nodded his head in agreement with Mr. Rivers but tried to convince Mr. Rivers if he is elected to the school board, he will not be able to effect change because all of the board members would gang up on him. 

Mr. Rivers then began to further explain the corruption taking place in the Mount Vernon City School District.  Mr. Rivers explained a situation where School Board Trustee Brenda Crump, elected by the people of Mount Vernon, must put in a F.O.I.L. request to receive information that she is entitled to.

Councilman Yuhanna Edwards was not shocked at the information presented to him by Mr. Rivers.  In fact Councilman Edwards responded, “basically that is what is happening to us as council people, they don’t give to us” “That is part of the sickness, we have in the political arena here in the City of Mount Vernon”. 

“You are so much on Johnson (Interim Superintendent) and Johnson has been a big help, and Johnson is on her way out”. said Edwards. Mount Vernon Exposed could find no documented evidence on how Johnson has helped the Mount Vernon City School District, but instead was able to compile an extensive list of destructive actions on the part of Johnson that will create financial turmoil for generations to come. 

Councilman Edwards also did not mention that Superintendent Judith Johnson tried to illegally discharge a debt of $15K Yuhanna Edwards owed to the Mount Vernon City School District.  Johnson provided phony paperwork to school board trustees that showed Councilman Yuhanna Edwards paid off the debt when in fact he didn’t.  Johnson only backtracked when an alert school board trustee questioned her about the discharging of the debt. 

Councilman Edwards then went on to defend Johnson even further when Rivers explained that Johnson withheld asbestos reports from board members and only released them when the story went public and was picked up by the media.  “How does she (Johnson) mitigate that as Superintendent”?  Yuhanna then stated that is “the school board members” that should have had the asbestos addressed at Cecil H. Parker Middle School. 

Yuhanna Edwards then suggested to Mr. Rivers in so many words that he should give Judith Johnson a “pass” because she is on her way out.  

Rivers then explained to Edwards about an allegation that was brought to the attention of Mount Vernon Exposed.  Sources informed Mount Vernon Exposed that Jonathan Browne, Principal of Longfellow Middle School, failed his pre-screening drug test and Judith Johnson gave Mr. Browne 30 days to clean up his act and get re-tested, a privilege not afforded to anyone else.  Johnson, when contacted by Mount Vernon Exposed to inquire about the allegation, denied that Browne failed a drug test.  When Johnson was asked if she would provide written documentation to support her claim, Johnson refused and cited some law protecting the privacy of an employee.  How can Johnson invoke a privacy law claim when demanded to provide documentation, but the same privacy law has no bearing when Johnson denied Browne did not fail the drug test? 

Johnson went even further to protect her hand picked puppet Jonathan Browne when she called an emergency meeting with the staff and parents at Longfellow Middle School to explain that Jonathan Browne did not fail the drug test.  Many teachers at Longfellow Middle School were suspicious of Johnson’s actions and felt there was a cover up taking place.

Councilman Edwards seemed uninterested that River’s informed him that Johnson was hiding behind school board attorneys and was using the attorneys to find ways on how to not release information to the public.  Edwards was not also interested in the Johnson’s past as Superintendent in Peekskill, where three guidance counselors personally hired by Johnson in Peekskill are facing criminal charges for changing test scores.  As a result of this test score scandal, Johnson was awarded Superintendent of the year.  Legal scholars interview by Mount Vernon Exposed said Johnson should be stripped of the award of any of the guidance counselors are convicted of the crimes accused of. 

Councilman Edwards many times throughout the conversation told River’s he was right and that he “dots every I and crosses every T”. 

Councilman Yuhanna Edwards further validated what many watchdog and citizen advocacy groups have been saying for over two decades; that the black churches and City Hall politicians have a tight grip on the school district and continue to meddle in school district business. 

The interview with Councilman Edwards, which last about 49 minutes, did not end before Councilman Edwards enlightened Mount Vernon Exposed to other ‘topics of interest’. 

Councilman Edwards told Mount Vernon Exposed that they should investigate Mount Vernon City Councilwoman Deborah Reynolds and her politics.  “That woman is something else…she is a Republican”.   According to the Westchester County Board of Elections, Deborah Reynolds is a registered Democrat. 

Councilman Edwards also suggested in the interview “Richardson is making off of this and what not”.  Councilman Edwards was referring to Rev. Franklyn Richardson of Grace Baptist, the mastermind that spearheaded the group CEPA, an organized charged by many with the destruction of Mount Vernon Exposed and the astronomical property taxes residents currently face. 

During the past election for Westchester County Executive, Richardson formed the group, ‘Democrats for Astorino’.  Richardson was upset that Westchester Democratic Party Bosses chose not to go with former Westchester County Board chairman Ken Jenkins as their pick for County Executive.  Richardson thought the status quo did not pick Jenkins because he was African-American, so he informed a coalition with various elected officials and community leaders to ensure a victory for incumbent County Executive Robert Astorino.  Mount Vernon City Councilwoman Deborah Reynolds was part of this “Democrats for Astorino” coalition.

When Mount Vernon Exposed informed Councilman Edwards that Mayor Ernie Davis was secretly supporting Republican Robert Astorino, Edwards responded, “true, true.” 

“We as a black run city are not going anywhere and the only one keeping us down is us”.  Apparently Councilman Edwards feels that taxpayers should over look the corruption and criminal acts committed by black politicians in this “black run” city. 

Councilman Edwards likes to use the race card when it is convenient for him to do so.  When a group of residents protested the exorbitant tax increase just recently approve by Edwards, Edwards suggested that they were part of the tea party, a tactic used by many black political leaders to instill fear in their black constituents.  Black leaders tell their black constituents that candidates that they oppose are linked to the tea party and will cut their social service programs if they are elected. 

Councilman Edwards criticizing of politicians didn’t stop there.  Edwards went on to state that Westchester Democratic Chairman Reginald Lafayette was weak, and this was the reason Mount Vernon wasn’t respected anymore in the political arena.  Edwards told Mount Vernon Exposed that David Ford, long considered to be the godfather of Mount Vernon politics, ruled with an iron fist and that the politics in the City of Mount Vernon fell apart because Mr. Lafayette was too busy with County business and neglected Mount Vernon politics. 

Mount Vernon Exposed reached out to Mr. Lafayette about Mr. Edwards’s accusations.  Mr. Lafayette stated they simply weren’t true and that Councilman Edwards “didn’t know what he was talking about”.   Mr. Lafayette also informed Mount Vernon Exposed that Councilman Edwards did not come into politics under the David Ford era but entered the political arena under Chairwoman Serepher Conn Halevi’s leadership. 

Councilman Edwards also mentioned that former Mayor Clinton Young was responsible for destroying the party by having former Democratic Party 2^nd Vice Chairman Ron Detras rearrange district leaders into districts so Clinton Young and his band of cronies can control the weighted vote. 

After ranting about the destruction of politics in the City of Mount Vernon, Councilman Edwards then suggested that Mount Vernon Exposed keep him informed and let him know information as stories and corruption in the City of Mount Vernon is made public.  Mount Vernon Exposed has brought matters of corruption to the City Council while Mr. Edwards was President and nothing was ever investigated, instead city officials because a little wiser in covering up their acts of corruption. 

ALLEGED MAYORAL VOTER FRAUD COMMITTED IN MOUNT VERNON

Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed that serious voter fraud was committed on behalf on a specific candidate running for Mayoral office in Mount Vernon.  Mount Vernon Exposed was also told that the United States Department of Justice and the F.B.I. was notified of the alleged crimes committed against the citizens of Mount Vernon.

According to a voter, Mount Vernon Exposed was told that the alleged voter crimes were committed on the Southside of Mount Vernon, specifically buildings where voter machines were placed where voters live in that specific building.  According to an undercover worker posing as a worker for the Mayoral candidate that was involved in the voting scam, workers were told that this specific voter candidate must win “by any means necessary”.  Workers were told to say that they were volunteers if they were asked if they were paid for their services because the specific Mayoral candidate was showing a negative balance in their campaign account with the Board of Elections.

“I want everyone in the City of Mount Vernon to know that the 2011 Mayoral elections were rigged” said the campaign worker.   “If you check the voter machines in the projects and the building across from Pathmark, you will see what the deal is” said the campaign worker.  “I’m not going to be nobody’s bitch in jail” continued the campaign worker when approached by the staff of Mount Vernon Exposed.  

Based on the foregoing, Mount Vernon voters deserve to know the truth about the 2011 Mayoral election.  No Mayoral candidate should concede until every vote, signature, and voter is subpoenaed and interviewed.  “We think we are on to something here” said one voter.  If need be, I will spend any amount deemed necessary to get to the truth. The truth needs no defense”. 

VOTE 2011: MAYORAL CANDIDATES PROFILES; YOU RIGHT TO KNOW

In September voters will go to the polls to either select a new Mayor to move Mount Vernon forward or return Mayor Clinton I Young Jr. to office for another 4 years.  This year’s race will be like no other.  There is a large field of candidates for voters to choose from and re-election for Mayor Young may not be an easy task.

During the last Mayoral election, Mayor Young rode the corruption bandwagon and preached a message that “It is time for a change.”  Almost 4 years later, Mayor Young’s administration is riddled with corruption and the City of Mount Vernon is in financial ruin.  Property taxes are way up while responsiveness from City Hall is at an all time low.   This year’s Mayoral campaign will become very negative at times.  Voters should expect very aggressive mudslinging.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® is your guide to transparency and making the right choice at the polls this September.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® has profiled each candidate that we know of seeking the Office of Mayor.

Here they are:

Mayor Clinton Young Jr. – Mayor Young had a chance to really move Mount Vernon forward for the good of the citizens of Mount Vernon.  From the onset, Mayor Young’s administration has been mired with controversy and corruption.  Whether it is the $95K job he appointed his sister Mary to, DPW Commissioner Terrence Horton and his blatant acts of corruption, or the no show $100K+ Inspector General taxpayers are footing the bill for,  Mayor Young just does not use good judgment.  Corruption further takes a toll on this administration when it was recently revealed that Mayor Young has a personal bag man, Antoine Lowe doing the bidding of Mayor Young by means of extortion and violence. Mayor Young has appointed several unqualified persons to positions in City Hall and has even assisted in the steering of no-bid contracts to his friends and campaign contributors.  John Boykin, the infamous Special Assistant to Mayor Young, has cast a black cloud on the re-election of Mayor Young.  Mayor Young once praised Boykin as the “Braintrust” of his administration.

Comptroller Maureen Walker- Many view Comptroller Walker as the favorite to win the Mayor’s race in 2011.  She is expected to cruise to victory.  Ms. Walker is respected throughout the City of Mount Vernon, especially the business community.  During her past 17 years as Comptroller of the City of Mount Vernon, taxpayers always had an independent voice that always put the best interests of the taxpayers first.  Ms. Walker was not swayed or corrupted by party politics.  Ms. Walker’s expertise and integrity in the City’s finances is an asset to the taxpayers, as she will not have to learn the job, on the job.   City of Mount Vernon taxpayers have enjoyed 10+ years of budget surpluses which have resulted in minimal property tax increases.  In these tough economic times, taxpayers are no longer afforded the luxury of budget surpluses.  Ms. Walkers’ financial expertise is needed to move the City of Mount Vernon forward.

Councilman Yuhanna Edwards- Councilman Edwards is said to be testing the waters and is supposedly eyeing a run at being the next Mayor of The City of Mount Vernon.  Councilman Edwards started the Mount Vernon Razorbacks over thirty years ago.  While Mr. Edwards has an extensive record of community service, many voters feel that he is just not ready to lead the City of Mount Vernon at this time.

Councilman Steve Horton- The Horton family has been drinking from the public water fountain for over two decades. Councilman Horton and his brother, DPW Commissioner Terrence Horton has had several brushes with the law.  It is alleged that Councilman Horton was arrested for obstructing justice while Mount Vernon Police Officers were arresting his brother Terrence for allegedly running down the street naked while on drugs.  These events happened in 1992.  It is unclear if Steve Horton will quit his job as Executive Director of The New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority.  A complaint was filed against Steve Horton with the United Office of Special Counsel about Steve Horton’s hatch act violation.  Councilman Horton, according to voter interviewed by Mount Vernon Exposed™® doesn’t stand a chance because of his younger brother Terrence Horton’s reputation of being “hopelessly corrupt”.

Frank Fraley- Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce President Frank Fraley is reportedly considering a run for Mayor.  Fraley was Chief of Staff under Mayor Ernie Davis and recently Vice President of Mount Vernon hospital.  It was revealed recently that Fraley is a convicted federal felon.  Fraley was convicted of a felony in 1994 after he plead guilty of trying to defraud the I.R.S. out of $200,000 by filing phony tax returns.  Although this happened almost twenty years ago, many voters told Mount Vernon Exposed that they are reluctant to vote for a convicted felon.  While many including President Obama, believe in giving someone a second chance for their past mistakes, some are not buying into this theory.  Fraley’s co-defendant in the I.R.S. fraud case Douglas Shyne, was arrested again and convicted in 2009 for being the ringleader of a massive $8M fraudulent check ring.  The scam involved high profile Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones who was also sentenced to federal prison in the scheme.  Shyne was sentenced to 140 months in federal prison.  Douglas Shyne’s relapse into the life of crime was almost 20 years later after his arrest with Fraley.  Some feel having Fraley in charge of a $90M budget is just a risk they are not willing to take at this time. (see arrest docket below)

Peter Sherrill- Mr. Sherrill was the first of all the candidates to publicly announce his intentions of running for office.  Sherrill is the former Director of Civil Defense for The City of Mount Vernon.  Mr. Sherrill is the author of several books, of which one “Black to the Future” was inducted into the Schomburg Museum Library.  Citizens view Mr. Sherrill as a nice, likeable guy, but voters that spoke to Mount Vernon Exposed™® expressed concerns that Mr. Sherrill just doesn’t have the experience to lead The City of Mount Vernon.



Frank Fraley Arrest Docket