Mount Vernon Mayor Allegedly Alerted Associate About Pending Arrest

The mayor of Mount Vernon is accused of notifying a colleague about an impending arrest related to the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl, just weeks before the individual was taken into custody, according to a lawsuit filed recently.

Mayor Shawin Patterson-Howard reportedly brought basketball coach Dwayne Murray to City Hall in late April after community activist Gabriel Thompson highlighted troubling allegations against him. “It’s unbelievable to see this kind of lawlessness,” Thompson expressed. “She should step down. I can’t believe the mayor would reach out to someone in this situation.”

The lawsuit outlines a text message Patterson-Howard received on April 28, informing her that Murray, a close associate, was rumored to have inappropriate relationships with a 14-year-old student and was accused of embezzling from a nonprofit. “It’s also been said that you’re aware of these allegations. Is that true?” the message queried.

While the text did not name Murray directly, the lawsuit claims Patterson-Howard was aware it referred to him. Following the report, Murray posted a video online asserting his innocence. “I want to make it clear. I’ve never acted inappropriately with any of my players,” he stated, adding that the situation was a smear campaign against him.

Interestingly, Murray admitted to having spoken with the mayor on the day of the text message. On May 15, the Westchester County District Attorney announced charges against him for his alleged abuse, stating the offenses had lasted over a year.

Murray, 62, was the executive director of the Mount Vernon Junior Nights Youth Basketball Program and had previously worked on Patterson-Howard’s political campaign while also having lived with Erica Peterson, a member of the Mount Vernon School Board.

The lawsuit further alleges that Patterson-Howard improperly utilized her office and taxpayer funds to endorse Peterson and two other school candidates, including using police security details for political activities.

A spokesperson for Patterson-Howard did not provide comments regarding the allegations, but in a statement reported to another outlet, the mayor dismissed Thompson’s claims as “politically motivated and frivolous.”

The mayor stressed her commitment to leading sincerely and not bringing shame to the community. However, the statement did not address the claim that she tipped off Murray about his arrest.

Mount Vernon, which leans heavily Democratic, holds significant political influence in its suburban area, despite a history of scandals involving previous mayors, including criminal convictions.

Thompson maintains that he is not acting from a political standpoint but as a concerned citizen, urging accountability. “If those in authority can’t act because it might affect their constituents, that’s a problem,” he noted, adding, “I’ve called for her resignation.”