CITY OF MOUNT VERNON JUDGE MARK GROSS DEFRAUDS MOUNT VERNON TAXPAYERS

Samuel L. Rivers

30 Rockledge Avenue

Mount Vernon, NY 10550

                                                                               

Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo

NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

PUBLIC INTEGRITY UNIT

120 Broadway, 22nd Floor

New York, NY 10271

Dear Mr. Cuomo,

I am requesting that your office conduct a full-scale and immediate investigation into City of Mount Vernon Judge Mark Gross.  For about 16 years mark Gross was of counsel to the City of Mount Vernon Water Department. 

Information has surfaced that Mr. Gross was improperly listed as an employee and therefore was receiving credits to the NYS pension and/or heath benefits with may have improperly bumper him to Tier 1 status.

I am aware that your office conducted a previous investigation of the Law firm Aiello and Cannick and found them to be improperly listed as employees of the Mount Vernon School System.  As a result of your investigation, the law firm of Aiello and Cannick was ordered to repay $75,000 to NYS and forfeit all credits to the pension system. 

Devereau Cannick, partner of the law firm Aiello and Cannick, also serves as Chairperson of the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee.  This is the same organization that nominated Mark Gross for City of Mount Vernon Judge.  While Mark Gross was of counsel to the City of Mount Vernon Water Department, he was retained by David Ford.  David Ford was past Chairperson of the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee. 

I am requesting an expedious investigation, so that Mount Vernon taxpayers can recoup any monetary loses due to them.

Sincerely,

Samuel L. Rivers