PASTOR W. FRANKLYN RICHARDSON: THE ULTIMATE POVERTY PIMP

Pastor W. Franklyn Richardson

In times of turmoil and difficult economic times people often turn to their elected officials and clergy for leadership and hope to get them through the storm.  People seeking the help of these persons often take the advice given to them as gospel and truth.  

Mount Vernon Exposed™® begins its mini-series into the corrupt black pastors in the City of Mount Vernon.  This mini-series will explain how the leaders of the black churches are directly responsible for the decline in the quality of life in Mount Vernon, the failure of the Mount Vernon school system, and the increase in crime.  

There are approximately 435 churches in Mount Vernon. With this amount of churches in the City of Mount Vernon, one would think that the City of Mount Vernon should be holier than thou.  However, this is not the case.  The City of Mount Vernon is a municipal mess of corruption.  The preachers of the largest religious institutions in Mount Vernon are nothing more than Sunday plate shakers and poverty pimps. 

In Mount Vernon it is a given African Americans in Mount Vernon make up the majority of the population.  This population serves as prey for the sharks and vultures also known as the preachers and poverty pimps.  One such poverty pimp and Sunday plate shaker is Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Pastor of Grace Baptist Church.  Pastor Richardson has become a permanent fixture in the City of Mount Vernon and has repeatedly injected himself into Mount Vernon politics. 

On a typical Sunday during service it customary for the worshippers to pay offerings or tithes to the religious establishments.  Tithes are normally calculated at 10% of one’s annual salary.  There have been allegations that worshippers of Pastor Richardson’s church had to show their tax returns to prove that they were in fact contributing 10% of their salary.   

Upon arriving at Grace Baptist Church on a Sunday Morning visitors are greeted by security personnel that mirror the image of Secret Service Agents.  Some of these security personnel are armed.  After all, Pastor Richardson must protect the loot that is funneled through his church each and every Sunday.  

You may ask yourself, “why is it important that I show my tax returns to the church”?  You may also ask yourself “how does my pastor get paid or how is my pastor’s salary calculated?  Under normal circumstances the salary of a pastor is 10-15% of the annual intake of the religious institution.  For example if the religious establishment takes in $3 Million per year the pastor’s salary would be between $300,000 - $450-000 per year.  $3 Million per year is a very conservative number for a religious establishment such as Grace Baptist church. 

It has been alleged that Pastor Richardson controls over twenty entities directly and indirectly affiliated with Grace Baptist Church.  Some people question how did Pastor Richardson rise to power?  Pastor Richardson rose to power on the backs of poor blacks in the City of Mount Vernon.  Pastor Richardson is the ultimate poverty pimp. 

The City of Mount Vernon is not good enough for Pastor Richardson to live, but it is good enough for him to come to every Sunday to extract money from the city residents.   Pastor Richardson lives in a grand mansion in Scarsdale, New York and can often be seen get chauffeured around town in the latest model Mercedes-Benz.  Pastor Richardson usually gets the top of the line model and has the numbers of that model taken off.  One can guess that his reasoning for doing this is so that his followers do not become too envious of his material objects.  One can also say that Pastor Richardson idols these material possessions and is guilty himself of violating the gospel that he preaches every Sunday.  The first commandment states “You shall have no other Gods before me.”  It is evident that money makes Pastor Richardson’s world go round.  

Pastor Richardson is alleged to be the biggest shakedown artist in town and is reported to be involved in such crimes as racketeering, extortion, bribery, and tax evasion.  Pastor Richardson is alleged to receive cash filled envelopes from people with a not so perfect lifestyle on a regular basis. 

Pastor Richardson is the former President of the United Black Clergy of Westchester.  As President of the United Black Clergy of Westchester, Pastor Richardson surely enriched himself.   Pastor Richardson has a history of selling out blacks in Mount Vernon for his own personal gain.  Grace Baptist Church has developed tens of millions of dollars of affordable housing projects in Mount Vernon over the last decade.  In exchange for promising then gubnortorial candidate George Pataki the black, Pastor Richardson received millions of dollars from New York State to construct low income housing across the City of Mount Vernon.  This would be the beginning of Pastor Richardson’s racketeering operation.  

Pastor Richardson is aligned with many shady and corrupt characters.  When the dots are connected, Pastor Richardson may very well be behind bars.  It is surprising that he is still a free man.   In addition to the alleged multiple counts of racketeering, Pastor Richardson has injected himself in the world of Mount Vernon politics.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® will elaborate more on this in our next issue. 

Mount Vernon Exposed™® has learned that an organization has filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service seeking to have his tax exempt status revoked.  Pastor Richardson has and is still using his church as a political playground to promote the platforms of candidates that serve his interest.  Pastor Richardson is a cancer spreading throughout the community that will prove deadly if it is not stopped and eradicated.  

To be continued………..

MOUNT VERNON NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER CEO CAROLE MORRIS UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION; THE HORTON HAMILY JUMPS SHIP

When one thinks of the City of Mount Vernon an image of a desolate, lawless wasteland often comes to mind.  The government is corrupt as the day is long.  Politicians have embraced a culture of corruption.  Political prostitution is the major economic stimulus.  For Mayor Young and his unscrupulous cast of characters, sitting around watching Godfather movies and then acting out the scenes in real life is a favorite pastime.  

When it comes to politics in Mount Vernon only the most corrupt individuals are embraced and endorsed by the so-called machine, The Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee.  This year’s election will be no different.  The Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee has no platform.  The high taxes in Mount Vernon can be directly attributed the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee, for they are the ones that support such rogue candidates.  

STEVEN HORTON

Mayor Young and the leaders of the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee continue to preach a message of unity and togetherness.  How can there be unity when you have asswipes such as Ronald Detres and Kenneth Plummer leading the pack?  Ronald Detres divides the community with his conquer and divide Hitler mentality and Kenneth Plummer is a political whore who gets in bed with whomever has the power at the time.  

This year’s political climate is filled with many twists and turns.  The backstabbing and deal making has begun.  While all bets are on Mayor Young to lose his re-election, some of his closest allies are breaking away from his corrupt regime and are starting to form their own alliances.  

Councilman Steve Horton is up for re-election this year.  Councilman Horton is under federal investigation for violating the Hatch Act of 1939.  In fact, Councilman Horton has repeated violated federal law.  The federal investigation is ongoing with regards to Councilman Horton’s Hatch Act violation.

 Councilman Horton may also face criminal charges for mismanagement of funds of the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority where he serves as its Executive Director.  $1M cannot be accounted for that was doled out in no-bid contracts, quite possibly to political cronies.

So what is Councilman Horton to do?  Sources have confirmed with Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Councilman Horton is going to retire in just a few months.  Councilman Horton is backing Councilman Yuhanna Edwards for Mayor.  A deal has already been made that Councilman Horton will be the Chief of Staff if Councilman Yuhanna Edwards is elected Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon.  

TERRENCE HORTON

The Horton family is no stranger to backstabbing and jumping off the ship when they see it sinking.  The Horton’s stabbed Mayor Ernie Davis in the back when they saw difficulty with him winning re-election.  Much of DPW Commissioner Terrence Horton’s success can be directly attributed to Mayor Davis.  The Horton family has no honor and no loyalty.  

Mayor Young only promised Terrence Horton the position of DPW Commissioner because he wanted to have an ally on the City Council.  Now it is 2011, and the Horton family tradition of backstabbing is again alive and well.  

On March 23, 2011, Mayor Young was out of town in Florida attending the annual Mount Vernon Day ceremonies.  Being the snake that he is, Commissioner Horton didn’t waste any time showing his true colors.  Commissioner Horton invited Councilman Yuhanna Edwards to the DPW Yard during morning roll call.  DPW workers told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Commissioner Horton was walking around introducing Councilman Edwards as the next Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon.  “I am wholeheartedly supporting Councilman Edwards for Mayor and it is in your best interest to do the same” said Horton according to the source.  

It will not be a simple task for Mayor Young to keep a handle on Commissioner Horton.  Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed that Mayor Young and Commissioner Horton are allegedly intimately involved with one another.  A lover’s quarrel could erupt at any given moment.  Disaster is eminent.

Mayor Young’s troubles don’t end there.  Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed that Mayor Young is being shot down left and right by community leaders whom he has asked for support.  So Mayor Young is left to resort to unscrupulous individuals for support.

Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Mayor Young has hired Carol Morris, CEO and founder of the Mount Vernon Health Center as his campaign manager.  Ms. Morris was recently campaign manager for Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow during his re-election bid last year.  

CAROLE MORRIS

Mount Vernon Exposed™® has recently learned that Carol Morris is under federal investigation for violating the Hatch Act 0f 1939.  Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that a complaint was filed against Carol Morris and others that are affiliated with Carol Morris for violating the Hatch Act of 1939.  

Certain private non-profits are covered under the federal Hatch Act statute, specifically non-profits that are head start programs, those that receive community service block grants, federal grants, and other federal funding.  The Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center and its subsidiaries receive substantial federal funding.  

Covered Hatch Act employees may not use official authority or influence to interfere with an election.  Carol Morris appeared on a mailer for Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow under her official title as the CEO of the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center, urging Mount Vernon voters to re-elect Assemblyman Pretlow to another term.  Kenneth Plummer, of Kensworth Consulting was paid thousands of dollars by Assemblyman Pretlow to design, print, and mail the flyer that appeared the day before the Democratic primary.  

Ms. Morris’ troubles do not end there.  She also stands accused of soliciting the uncompensated volunteer services of her subordinates at the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center.  She is also accused of the same hanky panky at her satellite site in Yonkers and Greenburgh.  Such actions committed by Carol Morris are in direct violation of federal law.  Her illegal actions could result in federal funding being yanked away from the struggling heath center.  Ms. Morris’ irresponsible behavior could lead to taxpayers bailing out the health center if they lose federal funding.

According to sources, Ms. Morris has getting away with these illegal acts for years.  She has reportedly threatened her subordinates with demotions and job terminations if they didn’t work on political campaigns.  Victory for the candidates supported by Carol Morris means more money for her health center which ultimately means more money in her pocket.  This year will be no different.  

If you are a worker at the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center and you are a victim of Carol Morris, Mount Vernon Exposed™® wants to speak with you.  All information will be kept confidential.  E-mail us: newsdesk@mountvernon2day.com

KLU KLUX KLAN ATTENDS MAYOR YOUNG'S STATE OF CITY ADDRESS; LYNCHING ATTEMPT FOILED

Alleged photo of Mount Vernon Police Officer's Deputy Chief Roland, Deputy Chief Dumser, and Lt. Michael Zarrelli in KKK uniform

In 1865, The United States Congress officially adopted the 13^th amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.  The 13^th amendment officially abolished and prohibited slavery and indentured servitude, except as punishment for a crime.  But for the top brass in the Mount Vernon Police and Auxiliary Police Departments, the 13^th amendment doesn’t exist and to them black people are still inferior, and should still be riding the back of the bus.  It appears that Klu Klux Klansmen are disguising themselves as Mount Vernon Police Officers.  

Embattled Mayor Clinton Young

On March 30, 2011, Mayor Young held his final State of the City Address in the City Council Chambers.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® was present at the event.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® arrived at City Hall at approximately 6:30 P.M. and entered City Council Chambers.  The chambers were practically empty at that time.  All of the seats were practically empty.  Samuel L. Rivers, Chairman of the Black Political Caucus of Westchester was sitting in the front row of seats, quietly minding his business.  The first row of seats had papers taped to the seats with the words “RESERVED”.  

Mr. Rivers was sitting there for approximately ten minutes before Will DuBose, Director of the Veteran’s Service agency asked Mr. Rivers to move.  Mr. DuBose said that the seats were reserved for the Veterans.  Mr. Rivers politely told Mr. DuBose that the seats were paid for by the taxpayers and are reserved for no one in particular.  Mr. Rivers then told Mr. DuBose that there was plenty of space for the veterans to sit in the row and he was more than welcome to sit down.  Mr. DuBose refused Mr. Rivers’ gesture to be seated and then walked away.  

Racist Captain Lichtman

About five minutes later, a second man approached Mr. Rivers’ about sitting in the first row.  The second man was not so nice.  The second man was more hostile, aggressive, and had no respect whatsoever.  “You can’t sit here” the man stated.  The identity of the second man was now known to be Captain Lichtman of the Mount Vernon Auxiliary Police.  Mr. Rivers then asked Capt. Lichtman why he couldn’t sit there.  Capt Lichtman then stated that the seats were reserved for the Mount Vernon Auxiliary Police.  Mr. Rivers’ appeared puzzled when answering Capt. Lichtman.  “Where does it say anywhere that these seats are reserved for the Auxiliary police sir”? Rivers said.  “Secondly, all rooms in City Hall are controlled by the City Council and I do not recall any ordinances being passed designating this seat for your exclusive use.  If you can find such an ordinance, I would be more than happy to move.” Rivers said. 

Capt. Lichtman became more belligerent and hostile.  It appeared that there were obvious problems with Capt. Lichtman by the way he spoke with Mr. Rivers’.  It became evident that Capt. Lichtman was a racist redneck that apparantly grew up in the back hills of Mississippi.  “You’re going to get up, one way or the other, you can go the easy way or the hard way,” Capt Lichtman said.  

“The auxiliary police are being recognized tonight” said Capt Lichtman.  “I am being recognized too tonight” said Rivers.  “Who is recognizing you” said Capt Lichtman”  “The same person that is recognizing you” said Rivers’.  Capt Lichtman then said “Well my officers need to have this row to sit down” said Capt Lichtman.  After about five minutes or so about five more Auxiliary officers sat down in the same row as Mr. Rivers.  All of the auxiliary officers were black.  None of the auxiliary officers said anything to Mr. Rivers.  Capt. Lichtman still continued to harass Mr. Rivers.  

Racist Bigot Trio

There was more than enough space for Capt. Lichtman to be seated but he refused.  It wasn’t  that Capt. Lichtman didn’t want to be seated; Capt. Lichtman didn’t want to sit down next to a black person that he didn’t have any control over.  Mr. Rivers’ was now a threat to Capt. Lichtman because he was speaking in a moderate tone and was questioning Capt Lichtman about his motives.  Capt. Lichtman’s true Klansman personality was now being displayed.  

Capt. Lichtman then turned extremely red in the face and walked away to go consult with the Grand Imperial Wizard, Grand Magi, and the Grand Titan of the Dominion, which would Deputy Chief Roland, Deputy Chief Dumser, and Lt. Michael Zurilli respectively.  This high ranking trio of bigots was recently exposed for running an elite corruption ring out of the Mount Vernon Police Department.  Inspector General Harry Stokes also found through an independent investigation that a Deputy Chief abused his power to violate the law to help a private businessman do a query on a batch of license plates.  

After the Klansmen were finished being debriefed by Capt. Lichtman, they then sent in a house Negro to approach Mr. Rivers.  The house Negro was even more aggressive than Capt. Lichtman

It became quite obvious that the trio of bigots were angry about Rivers’ exposing corruption about their elite unit operating in the Mount Vernon Police Department.  This was the perfect time for them to get revenge on Rivers’.  The expression on the trio’s face gave the impression that they had thoughts going through their head of “We are going to have ourselves a lynching in Mount Vernon tonight”.  Within minutes, about a dozen officers converged on City Hall on reports of a disturbance.  It was clear that the Klansman were calling in re-enforcements.  

House Negro Detective Anthony Burnett

While the house Negro was speaking to Mr. Rivers, another house Negro came on the scene.  The second house Negro was even more aggressive than the first.  House Negro #2 had a bigger ego than the first and didn’t care that he was being tape recorded.  It was obvious that house Negro #2 was more superior to house Negro #1.  House Negro #2 told Mr. Rivers “You will be removed from the seat, one way or another”.  House Negro #2 is known as Detective Anthony Burnett, the personal driver for Mayor Clinton Young.  

House Negro # 2 rose to fame during the years of the Ernie Davis administration.  House Negro #2’s incompetence led to the escape of prisioner while in his custody.  As a result of his incompetence, he was demoted.  Sources say that the escape was a carefully plotted and conspired escape and allegedly House Negro#2 was offered a bribe for his assistance in the escape.  The prisoner escaped while he was un cuffed by House Negro#2. 

After a few minutes or so, Police Commissioner Carl Bell entered the room and observed what was going on.  Commissioner Bell asked Mr. Rivers to speak with him privately.  Mr. Rivers’ agreed.  After a few minutes, Capt Lichtman came in hallway with Mr. Rivers’ bag in his hand.  Capt. Lichtman then dropped the bag on the floor at Mr. Rivers’ feet similar to the days of slavery when food was dropped at the feet of the slaves.  Capt. Lichtman then walked away without saying anything.  Capt. Lichtman then went back to retreat with his fellow Klansman.  

After about 5 minutes or so, Mr. Rivers walked away from Commissioner Bell satisfied with the way Commissioner Bell handled the situation.  “Mr. Bell spoke to me with respect and I spoke to him with respect” said Rivers.  “He didn’t come to me with this Rosa Parks get to the back of the bus mentality, courtesy is contagious” Rivers added. 

The Klansman and the house Negroes looked disappointed after Mr. Rivers finished speaking with Commissioner Bell.   Their plot to arrest and lynch Mr. Rivers’ was now foiled.  

Upon entering the City Council chambers it was noticed that the Auxiliary police were stilled seated in the first row.  Rivers’ then took a photograph of the officers sitting in the first row.  Capt. Lichtman then got up from his and charged at Mr. Rivers’ with his arm extended, assaulting Mr. Rivers.  “You can’t take my picture, you don’t have my permission” said Capt. Lichtman “You gave me your permission to take your picture the moment you walked through the door” said Rivers.  “You are going to be removed, you need to be removed” Capt. Lichtman said.  The black auxiliary officers immediately got up from the first row wanting to having nothing to do with Capt. Lichtman's racist tirade.

Capt. Lichtman then went to consult with the Imperial Grand Wizard about Mr. Rivers’ picture taking.  The Imperial Grand Wizard then told Capt. Lichtman than no crime was being committed.  Capt. Lichtman then went to a corner where he remained for the rest of the evening hiding behind Will DuBose.  Mr. Rivers then was trying to take a picture of Capt. Lichtman’s badge.  Capt. Lichtman kept dodging and ducking the camera.  Capt. Lichtman then placed a black band over his name tag so that he would not be identified.  One must wonder if the practice of covering up the name plates is standard operating procedure of the Mount Vernon Police Department.  

Grand Titan of the Dominion a/k/a Lt. Michael Zurilli remained quiet and close to the Imperial Grand Wizard the entire night.  Grand Titan of the Dominion ordered the arrest of Samuel L. Rivers at the DPW yard on April 21, 2011.  Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Grand Titan of the Dominion Zurilli is experiencing quite a bit of personal problems in life, and therefore that may be the cause of his irrational thinking.  It was reported that Grand Titan of the Dominion Zurilli's wife recently divorced him because of his personal problems.

Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Grand Titan of the Dominion Zurilli is a compulsive gambler and allegedly gambled all of the money away during his marriage.  It was also reported that Grand Titan of the Dominion Zurilli was allegedly involved in an affair with another man and that was the breaking point in his marriage.  Whatever the case may be, Grand Titan of the Dominion Zurilli should seek professional counseling before his irrational thinking puts another innocent man behind bars. 

MOUNT VERNON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT FRANK FRALEY ACCUSED OF "COOKING THE BOOKS"; PETITION DRIVE UNDER WAY TO HAVE FRALEY RESIGN AS CHAMBER PRESIDENT

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION TO HAVE FRANK FRALEY REMOVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE MOUNT VERNON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

Frank Fraley

What do former New York Senator Pedro Espada and Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce President Frank Fraley have in common?  Both men have been arrested by federal agents; both men are in charge of non-profit organizations, both men have served in government, and both men are facing accusations of looting non profits for personal gain.  

Mount Vernon Exposed™® recently revealed information about a corruption scandal involving Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce President Frank Fraley and City of Mount Vernon Assessor Anthony DeBellis.  It was revealed that these two men are allegedly involved in a massive pay-to-play scheme that has to do with lowering the assessments of real property in the City of Mount Vernon.  Mr. Fraley owns a company called Noah Consulting that he advertises via direct mail to specifically targeted residents allegedly supplied by Assessor Anthony DeBellis.  Mr. Fraley also purchases massive ad space in several of the local newspapers in Mount Vernon.  

After Mount Vernon Exposed™® ran the story exposing Frank Fraley’s past as a convicted Federal felon, we received dozens of calls from Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce members.  Chamber of Commerce members were outraged that news of Frank Fraley’s criminal background was intentionally withheld from chamber members.  It was told to Mount Vernon Exposed that Mr. Fraley objected to a background check when he became president of the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce.  A background check would have revealed Fraley’s past federal felony conviction.  Chamber members would also have had the opportunity to weigh in and decide if they wanted a convicted felon as their leader.  Chamber members expressed to Mount Vernon Exposed™® that former Planning Commissioner and Chamber of Commerce President Gerrie Post was asked to step down when she was arrested and wasn’t even yet convicted of committing any crimes. 

It appears that Mr. Fraley may have had a relapse back into the life of crime.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® received information from Chamber of Commerce members that Fraley is misappropriating Chamber of Commerce monies.  It was also learned by Mount Vernon Exposed™® that a formal complaint was filed with the I.R.S. and the New York State Attorney General’s office about Fraley’s alleged misconduct.  Both investigative bodies were asked to conduct an audit of the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce. Chamber members also feel that Fraley misrepresented his credentials to the Chamber of Commerce.  Fraley allegedly represented to chamber members that he received a M.B.A. from New York University.  Upon the initiation of an investigation, it was determined that Fraley did not graduate from NYU with an M.B.A, but only received a certificate from N.Y.U. 

The allegations against Fraley and Nina Brown, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce were explosive and outright criminal in nature.  Fraley and Nina Brown were accused by Chamber of Commerce members of intentionally suppressing chamber financial data.  Chamber members revealed that they had not received a financial statement of Chamber of Commerce activity in almost two years.  It was also stated that financial information was requested from Fraley and Brown, but both have refused repeated requests for information from Chamber of Commerce members.  

Chamber members were also taken back by the arrogance of Fraley.  It is alleged that Fraley did not pay for his ticket to the annual Chamber of Commerce gala in 2009 and 2010.  Ticket prices for the annual gala are $175.00.  Fraley’s highhanded behavior did not end there.  Fraley also stands accused of using Chamber of Commerce funds as his personal piggybank.  Fraley expensed an iPhone to the Chamber of Commerce without any explanation whatsoever.  Sources have confirmed that Fraley does have an iPhone with him at all times that he uses as his personal cell phone.  

Fraley is also accused of spending $12K on various organizations without approval from the Chamber of Commerce.  One of these organizations was for golf.  Fraley is an avid golf player and can be seen frequenting various golf courses around Westchester County with his partner in crime, City Assessor Anthony DeBellis.  Fraley also plays with other City officials and has been a high ranking committee member of Mayor Young’s golf outing for the past 3 years.  Fraley also served on Mayor Young’s transition team alongside DPW Supervisor Rudy Persaud who was recently arrested and charged with felony perjury.  Mayor Young sure does have a thing for criminals. 

The financial stability of the Chamber of Commerce was also questioned by chamber members.  Chamber members expressed concern that Fraley’s greed will lead to the demise of the Chamber of Commerce.  The Mount Vernon City Council recently approved the sale of 66 Mount Vernon Avenue, a city owned property, to the Chamber of Commerce for approximately $11K.  However, Chamber of Commerce members told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that the Chamber of Commerce does not have any money and cannot afford the purchase of 66 Mount Vernon Avenue.

It appears that ulterior motives and hidden agendas was the real driving force behind the Mount Vernon City Council approving the sale of this property.  It was learned by Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Fraley allegedly retained a lobbyist, Arnold Lindhardt, of White Plains to help facilitate the sale of the property.  Chamber members said that Fraley felt that the lobbyist could influence City Council members.  If Fraley did indeed retain Lindhardt as his lobbyist to facilitate the sale of the property, there was a major conflict of interest.  

Lindhardt, who owns the company Strategic Services, is also retained by the City of Mount Vernon as its lobbyist.  Was the City Council that naive that they couldn’t see this conflict of interest?  Or do we have a bunch of ignoramus’ running the City of Mount Vernon?  Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Lindhardt, who does political consulting as well, will be involved in the campaign of Councilwoman Diane Munro Morris and Councilman Steve Horton.  This is your tax dollars hard at work.  Pay-to-play is the only way of doing business with the City of Mount Vernon.  

Mount Vernon Exposed™® questioned chamber members as to how Fraley could get away with the alleged looting if a system of checks and balances was in place.  Chamber members could not recall who was authorized to sign checks on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce.  It appears that Fraley has again taken advantage of someone asleep at the wheel.  It has been reported that a petition to remove Frank Fraley as President of the Chamber of Commerce is being circulated to chamber members.  

In December 2009, sources told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Fraley wrote a letter to a Federal judge in the Eastern District of New York seeking to have his felony criminal record expunged.  Fraley was apparently clearing the way so he could run for Mayor.  Those dreams were short lived. According to the source, Fraley stated in his letter to the judge, that he wanted his record expunged because he was seeking employment.  Fraley indicted that he was appointed to serve as a member of Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino’s transition team, specifically, the Committee of Human Resources.  Fraley was also seeking employment with the Mount Vernon School District as the Chief of Operations.  Sources also told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Fraley also applied for employment with the Wartburg Home in Mount Vernon.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® has learned that all three employers did a background check on Fraley and denied him employment due to his past felony conviction.  

Fraley solicited various community leaders, clergy, and City officials to write letters of support to the Judge in favor of having his past felony conviction expunged.  Dr. Welton L. Sawyer was one of the few of the individuals Fraley tapped for favors.  

Mr. Fraley was Chief of Staff to Mayor Ernest D. Davis from 2003-2006.  Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed that Mayor Davis did not have any knowledge of Fraley’s past felony conviction.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® filed a Freedom of Information Request (F.O.I.L) with the City of Mount Vernon for Fraley’s employment application.  City Officials did not respond.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® has made numerous attempts to reach Fraley to discuss the allegations presented herein.  Fraley did not respond. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION TO HAVE FRANK FRALEY REMOVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE MOUNT VERNON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

Frank Fraley Arrest Docket

MAYOR YOUNG HIRES VIOLENT THUG WITH HISTORY OF REAL ESTATE FRAUD TO HEAD RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN; MAYOR YOUNG OFTEN IN ATTENDANCE AT DRUG INDUCED "ROCK STAR" STYLE PARTIES

Mayor Clinton Young

A few months back Mount Vernon Exposed™® asked its readers, “What does it take to be a part of Mayor Young’s administration?”   We now ask the question, “What does it take to do business with the City of Mount Vernon?  In order to do business with the City of Mount Vernon, one must be corrupt and willing to pay the price of doing business.  The ideal candidate will possess unethical qualities, be a convicted felon, not afraid to pass cash under the table, and be willing to do whatever it takes to get to the top, even if that means making death threats to those that threaten their riches.  

One fine example of the ideal candidate looking to do business with the City of Mount Vernon is corrupt illegal Real Estate Broker James “James” Dickerson.  We use the world illegal because at the current moment, Mr. Dickerson does not have a valid NYS Real Estate Broker’s license, however Mr. Dickerson continues to practice real estate in the City of Mount Vernon.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® has seen several locations in the City of Mount Vernon where Dickerson has his real estate sign for his company, Resolution Trust Realty.  

One such location that Mr. Dickerson has his real estate signs is in Fleetwood at the former Bank of New York building, a property that is currently before various boards of the City seeking to gain approvals for a new development proposed at the site.  John Boykin, the disgraced former assistant to Mayor Young and Dickerson have now teamed up and are acting in the capacity as illegal lobbyists to usher this project through the City of Mount Vernon.  Mr. Boykin, at the direction of his wife, Assistant Corporation Counsel Joana Aggrey, approached City Council members at a recent work session meeting about the proposed development.  

James "Jamie" Dickerson

Dickerson, a violent hoodlum, has no regards for the law.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® receives at least a dozen tips a week about the conduct of Mr. Dickerson.  Such tips range from Mr. Dickerson’s violent and abusive behavior towards woman, shakedowns of persons looking to do business in Mount Vernon, and Mr. Dickerson passing bags of cash to Mayor Clinton Young.  It has also been alleged that Mr. Dickerson even had the testicular fortitude to march into the planning department and inform planning commissioner Jeffrey Williams that all project in the City of Mount Vernon go through him.  Mayor Young knows about Mr. Dickerson’s behavior and supports him 100%.   It is very suspect that elected officials in the City of Mount Vernon continue to associate with this convicted criminal.  Dickerson is also heading up Mayor Young’s re-election campaign.  

One may wonder what caused Dickerson to get on the wrong side of the law.  Has Mr. Dickerson always been corrupt?  The answer is yes.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® decided to do a thorough background check on Mr. Dickerson.   Our findings cannot all be put in one article, so therefore we are creating a mini-series on “The Life and Times of Jamie Dickerson”.    We plan to distribute a pamphlet called “Mayor Young and his Braintrust”  to every registered voter just in time for the election to let Mount Vernon residents know what is in store if Mayor Young is indeed elected for another 4 years.  

Jamie Dickerson’s Financial Troubles

Jamie Dickerson’s financial troubles began on April 16, 1997, the day the I.R.S. filed a tax lien against Mr. Dickerson for $35,506.08 in the Westchester County Clerk’s office.  Mr. Dickerson has been hooking and crooking ever since.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® received information from a family that was defrauded out of their home by James Dickerson in his official capacity as a former Licensed Real Estate Broker.   A family reached out to Mr. Dickerson to help them save their home at 124 ½ South 13^th Avenue in Mount Vernon.  Instead of helping the family, Mr. Dickerson chose to help himself.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® obtained documents relating to the fraud.  It was expressed to Mount Vernon Exposed™® that the family wants Mr. Dickerson brought to justice for the crimes that he committed against them.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® will also assist the family to see that Mr. Dickerson is brought to justice for his egregious acts against society.  

Looking at the documents relating to this fraud, it isn’t hard to tell that some possible fraudulent activity took place during the closing.  According to persons familiar with the sale of the property, Mr. Dickerson was to step in and purchase the house from the homeowner that was in financial trouble.  An agreement was signed between the parties and Mr. Dickerson.  The agreement stipulated that Mr. Dickerson could never sell the house except back to the original owners when they were financially able to do so.  Such transactions are often referred to as “Foreclosure Rescue Scams a/k/a Equity Skimming” and are now illegal in New York State.  It is the actions of Mr. Dickerson and other like minded individuals that led to the housing meltdown across the United States.  

During the time Mr. Dickerson was in possession of the property, the homeowners were to remain as tenants and pay rent to Mr. Dickerson.  It is alleged that Mr. Dickerson never made the mortgage payments and kept the money for himself.   The house then went into foreclosure and Mr. Dickerson then sold the property to his then at the time girlfriend who was affiliated with another Mount Vernon company called First Equities with offices located at 50 Mount Vernon Avenue.   It is alleged that Mr. Dickerson profited well over $100K on this scam.  

Mr. Dickerson's Failure to Pay

Mr. Dickerson is no stranger to not making mortgage payments on properties that he owns.  If fact Mr. Dickerson does not like to pay rent either.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® earlier reported that Mr. Dickerson was living rent free at 164 Oakland Avenue; a property that he went into contract to purchase that was in foreclosure.    Mr. Dickerson again took advantage of a person looking for help during a time of crisis. 

Mr. Dickerson moved into 164 Oakland Avenue in early 2008.  The owner was facing foreclose and Mr. Dickerson made an agreement with the owner to try and purchase the property through a short sale.  A short sale is when the bank agrees to sell the property for less than what is owed on the mortgage.  

Mr. Dickerson then retained Hannah Gross as his attorney.  Hannah Gross, a political hack, is the wife of embattled Mount Vernon City Court Judge Mark Gross.  Judge Gross has come under fire for scamming Mount Vernon taxpayers for illegally listing himself as an employee of the City of Mount Vernon for 16 years when in fact he was merely only retained as of counsel to the Water Department.  This scam enabled Judge Gross to earn credits in the NYS pension system that will count towards his pension.

The house Mr. Dickerson was living in at 164 Oakland Avenue was the scene of many late night parties that included excessive alcohol and marijuana smoking.  Mr. Dickerson was often seen smoking marijuana at his parties.  City of Mount Vernon employees and elected officials, including Mayor Young, were frequent guests at Mr. Dickerson’s drug induced, rock star style parties.  

The party scene came to a screeching halt on January 11, 2010, when Countrywide Home Loans foreclosed on and took possession of 164 Oakland Avenue.  It is unclear if Mr. Dickerson is still illegally occupying the premises.  A source told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Mr. Dickerson held one of his famous parties in the summer of 2010, well after the bank foreclosed on the property.  Various city officials, including Mayor Young were in attendance the source told Mount Vernon Exposed™®.  

JAMES A DICKERSON BANK FRAUD DOCUMENTS

COUNCIL PRESIDENT KAREN WATTS REPSONDS TO LEGISLATOR LYNDON WILLAMS

A sports facility without visitors seating, restrooms or lights anywhere is not a ‘state of the art’ facility!!! The Council does not need a petition to understand this.

Council President Karen Watts

An interesting picture is being painted for the public with the most recent letter written by our County Legislator. Included is an accusation that I in some way have criticized the Legacy Program. I not only support the Legacy Grants, I initiated the use of this very grant for Memorial Field in 2006 with then County Legislator Clinton I. Young!!! 

Legislator Lyndon Williams went all over town in the early part of 2010, telling all who would listen that the Memorial Field project was in danger because the Council had not put the bonds in place. As the majority of the Council was newly elected in 2010, we wanted to review as much as possible to be certain that the tax dollars of our residents were not squandered on unnecessary interest payments or funding projects that were no longer needed. After we met with commissioners and department heads, we put the requests in order of importance and job readiness. Of course Memorial Field was at the top of the list. I do not know why the 2009 City Council failed to request the correct amount of money for the project. This fact that was not revealed until later, as Legislator Lyndon Williams is aware of, since it was he who informed us! 

Quite honestly, from the perspective of the Council, it simply doesn’t matter who or when or what led to the present issue. Our only interest now is to resolve it. We could spend years arguing how this came to be. But at the end of the day, what would that accomplish? The Council does not wish to spend any more time rehashing the past. We would like to move forward and get this field started! As Stated by our Legislator, ‘this is the job of the City Officials.’

After a call from me, the Mayor re-appointed the Capital Projects Board. He did this on February 24^th, 2011.  While we were waiting for this, I, and other members of the Council, spoke with several department heads including the Planning and Recreation Commissioners, to work on changing the current bond requests so that more money could be put towards Memorial Field. We are still waiting for some of these numbers.

I, for one, am of the opinion that what could have, should have or would have happened, ceases to be an issue in light of the work that has to be done now. 

Mount Vernon residents deserve a state of the art facility. As elected officials, we are charged with the responsibility of achieving this goal. This is the aim of the Council.  

Finally, I will once again repeat the last line in my initial letter to our Legislator  - ‘It is my hope that you will assist us by working with us to accelerate the process so that we can get this work done correctly - the first time!’

Respectfully Submitted

Karen Watts, President, Mount Vernon City Council

NYS POLITICIANS INDICTED ON PUBLIC CORRUPTION CHARGES

NYS Politicians Indicted on Public Corruption Charges

MAYOR YOUNG RECEIVES DOCTORATE IN CRIMINOLOGY; SEEKS TO REWARD EMBATTLED CITY MARSHAL LUCRATIVE BOOTING CONTRACT IN EXCHANGE FOR CAMPAIGN SUPPORT

MAYOR CLINTON YOUNG

Ready, Set, Go!!!!  Election year or should we say war has officially begun in the City of Mount Vernon.   The battle lines have been drawn in the sand.  People are ducking for cover while others are busy aligning themselves with who they feel is the favorite to win the Mayoral race.  The 2011 Mayoral race will be the nastiest and the most costly campaign in the history of Mount Vernon.  There is a saying in politics.  “There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.”  This saying proves to be true in the byzantine world of Mount Vernon politics.  

The Afghanistan war of 1979 is a good example to prove this theory.  The Soviet Union had many interests in Afghanistan and one of them was to spread the theory of communism and make it one of its satellite nations. The United States was pursuing a policy of containment and it indirectly aided the rebel forces of Afghanistan, i.e. the Taliban and Mujahidin’s, to overthrow the communist regime.  The United States allied with Afghanistan along with Iran, China and Pakistan to carry out its objectives. Although the war ended in a stalemate, the participating nations were involved because it served their interests. After 9/11 United States developed an interest of combat against terrorism and it suspected its former ally, Afghanistan or the Taliban, to be involved in the attacks on the World Trade Center.  Now the United States is still fighting a war with Afghanistan.  Once considered an ally, the United States would like to see Afghanistan blown off the map.

SERAPHER CONN-HALEVI

Best friends become enemies and enemies become best friends. 

Mayor Young is making every attempt to reach out to the people that he burned or screwed over the last three years, even if that means bribing them with lucrative contracts funded by the City of Mount Vernon taxpayers.  

Mount Vernon voters still have the sour taste in their mouth from the 2007 Mayoral primary that bitterly divided the City of Mount Vernon.  The ticket was Mayor Davis –vs. - Clinton Young and Lyndon Williams –vs. - Serapher Conn Halevi.   The campaign at times got violent, with reports of physical brawls and guns being flashed by both camps.  

After Mayor Young won the primary, there was an organized and calculated attempt to overthrow Serapher Conn Halevi from the position as Chairwoman of the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee.  The chairperson of the committee that was responsible for the ouster of Ms. Halevi was Ronald Detres, husband of City of Mount Vernon Corporation Counsel Loretta Hottinger.  Ronald Detres would show others the ropes and how to get information to the media.  A series of articles ran in The Journal News about the corrupt activities of Serapher Conn Halevi and members of her family.  The articles led to federal investigators picking up the case and sending out subpoenas for information relating to the corruption.  Former Special Assistant to the Mayor John Boykin also implicated Conn Halevi in the torching of community activist Samuel L. Rivers’ Ranger Rover.

Upon taking office, one of the first things Mayor Young did was to instruct City Council members to cancel the booting contract that was issued to Serapher Conn Halevi who also serves as the City Marshall.   On March 3, 2008, The Journal News ran a story regarding the booting contract issued to Conn Halevi.  According to the article, City Council members began questioning why an independent contractor should be paid to do the booting if city employees are also involved.  The Mount Vernon Police Department also does booting for the City of Mount Vernon.  

Now we fast forward to 2011.  Some of the same City Council members that expressed concerns over the booting contract now have in front of them information to vote and restore the booting contract to Conn Halevi.  Dr. Mayor Young is now in full support of re-rewarding Conn Halevi the booting contract.  Conn Halevi is not the only person that was once an enemy of Dr. Mayor Young that he is attempting to bribe with lucrative city contracts. You are probably scratching your head wondering why? Mayor Young is promising Conn Halevi the booting contract at a cost of $65K per year in exchange for support for the 2011 Mayoral election.  Bribery 101, Mayor Young passed with flying colors.  In fact, he never missed a day or showed up late to class.  It has even been reported that Mayor Young has recently earned his doctorate in criminology.  He is now on top of his game and only the best of the best will be able to detect his criminal attempts to line his greasy pockets with taxpayer funds.

 

Mount Vernon Exposed™® was at the City Council work session meeting on March 8, 2011 when this particular item came up for discussion and the reasoning for doling out such a lucrative contract to a Dr. Mayor Young crony without going through the competitive bidding process. Anyone who submits “a fraudulent or collusive bid, or otherwise conspires to corrupt the bidding system, is guilty of a crime under § 103-e(1) of the state’s General Municipal Law.

§ 103-e(1) states:

  Conspiracies  to  prevent  competitive  bidding  on  public
  contracts.  1. A person or corporation who shall wilfully, knowingly and
  with intent to defraud, make or enter into, or attempt to make or  enter
  into,  with  any  other  person  or  corporation, a contract, agreement,
  arrangement or combination to submit a fraudulent or collusive  bid,  or
  to  refrain  from  submitting a bona fide competitive bid, to any board,
  officer, agency, department, commission or other agency of the state  or
  of  a public corporation on a contract for public work or purchase which
  has been advertised for bidding, shall be guilty of a  misdemeanor,  and
  on  conviction thereof shall, if a natural person, be punished by a fine
  not exceeding five thousand dollars or by imprisonment  for  not  longer
  than  one  year,  or  by  both  such  fine  and  imprisonment,  and if a
  corporation  by  a  fine  not  exceeding  twenty  thousand  dollars.  An
  indictment  or  information  based  upon a violation of any provision of
  this section must be found within three years after its commission.

Mount Vernon Exposed™® would like to educate the public to show that rewarding Conn Halevi the booting contract is not in the best interest of Mount Vernon taxpayers.  Nothing personal, just bad business sense.   We hope the City Council will use this information when this item comes up for a vote.

First and foremost, Mount Vernon is the only City in Westchester (possibly New York State) where the City Marshall does booting.  Most booting contracts are awarded through the RFP (Request for Proposal) process.  For example, most booting contracts are done by tow truck companies.  Makes sense doesn’t it.  How many times have you seen in parking lots signs alerting you who to call (a tow truck company) if your car is booted or towed away?   In New York City, booting is done by the Sheriff or a subcontractor of the Sheriff.  Things are done differently in Mount Vernon.  Very differently.  Hence the reason the City of Mount Vernon is the poorest, highest taxed City in America. 

Now for a few figures to show you that awarding the booting contract to Conn Halevi is being done for strictly political patronage purpose:

City Marshal Booting Contract Data

(Expense) to City Marshall Booting Contract - $60,000 (annually in 2008) or $5,000 per month

(Revenue) to City of Mount Vernon - $217,395 (annually in 2008) or $18,116.25 per month

(Profit) to City of Mount Vernon less expenses of $60,000 (booting contract) = $157, 395

Mount Vernon Police Department Booting Data

(Expense) to City of Mount Vernon Police Officer Overtime $84,000 per year or $7,000 per month

(Revenue) to City of Mount Vernon- $600,000 (annually in 2010) or $50,000 per month

(Profit) to City of Mount Vernon less expense of $84,000 (police overtime) $516,000

Even if the City were to give back $84,000 to the Mount Vernon Police Department for their overtime expenses, the City of Mount Vernon would still be left with a profit of $432,000 annually.  

An argument was made that the police department spends too much in overtime booting cars and thus this should be the reason for re-rewarding the booting contract to Conn Halevi.  In reality, the only issue is overtime is spent on booting scofflaws and when overtime is needed to solve let’s say a homicide or bank robbery there is no money to pay for it.  City officials should work together to make sure the police department overtime budget is replenished on a monthly basis since they are bringing in substantial revenue which ultimately makes its way into the City of Mount Vernon general fund which then is used to control the increase of the tax rate.   The moral of the story is: make sure they police are taken care of.  They are the second largest union in Mount Vernon, they interact with City residents on a daily basis and most importantly, they vote.  

It is a no brainer that it makes more sense to even get additional police officers to participate as this is a very lucrative stream of revenue not currently afforded to City of Mount Vernon taxpayers.  Anything else would be uncivilized.  

Please write the City Council and encourage them not to reward Serapher Conn Halevi the booting contract.  This is corruption at its worst. Please also sign up to speak at the next City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 7 P.M.  When you are asked by the secretary the topic that you will be speaking about, please say, “Don’t tread on me”.

George W. Brown - City Clerk

C/O Mount Vernon City Council

City of Mount Vernon - 1 Roosevelt Sq.

Mount Vernon, NY 10550

(914) 665-2332 Fax# (914) 668-6044

gwbrown@cmvny.com

Journal News Articles Serapher Halevi