MOUNT VERNON – Mayor Richard Thomas must resign from office effective September 30 following his guilty plea to stealing campaign funds and lying about the money on a disclosure to the State Board of Elections.
Thomas pled guilty and was sentenced by Westchester County State Supreme Court Justice Barry Warhitto to pay a $13,000 fine. The judge also set a one-year conditional discharge during which he may not seek or accept any elected or appointed public office or accept any position as a public servant.
“Mayor Thomas admitted to knowingly misusing campaign donations to fund his lifestyle instead of his campaign,” said State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
“By using campaign funds to line his own pockets, Mayor Thomas broke the law, and violated public trust,” said State Attorney General Letitia James. “New Yorkers put their faith in our public servants, and Mayor Thomas’ gross violation of that fair constitutes the utmost disloyalty to those he sworn to serve.”
Thomas pled guilty to attempted grand larceny and offering a false instrument, both as misdemeanors.
As part of his plea agreement, he admitted to taking some $13,000 from his campaign committee during the 2015 mayor election and using it for his own personal use. He also admitted to filing a 27 day post-general disclosure report with the State Board of Elections where he admitted he did not disclose that he received a $4,000 payment from his campaign committee. He also claimed to have received a $2,500 reimbursement payment from his campaign committee, but did not expend personal funds warranting the reimbursement.
