NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas agreed to resign from his position on Monday, after pleading guilty to stealing campaign funds and falsely filing a disclosure report with the State Board of Elections.
After a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General and the New York State Office of the Comptroller, 35-year-old Richard Thomas pleaded guilty to charges of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree.
Attorney General Letitia James and Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced that Thomas was sentenced to pay a $13,000 fine in addition to a one-year conditional discharge during which time he may not seek or accept any elected or appointed public office or seek or accept any position as a public servant.
"Mayor Thomas admitted to knowingly misusing campaign donations to fund his lifestyle instead of funding his campaign," said State Comptroller DiNapoli. "Thanks to my partnership with Attorney General Letitia James, his scheme was exposed and he has now admitted his guilt. I will continue to work with Attorney General James to root out public corruption across the state." Thomas also admitted that he knowingly and falsely filed a 27 Day Post-General Disclosure report with the New York State Board of Elections, where he admitted that he did not disclose that he received a $4,000 payment from his campaign committee. On that report, Thomas also claimed to have received a $2,500 reimbursement payment from his campaign committee, but he did not expend personal funds warranting such reimbursement. At the age of 33, Thomas became the historic city's youngest mayor.
His resignation is effective September 30, 2019. Like 1010 WINS on Facebook and follow @1010WINS on Twitter to get breaking news, traffic, and weather for New York City.
