The mayor of Mount Vernon, New York has pleaded guilty to misusing campaign funds and has agreed to resign on September 30.
State Attorney General Tish James and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced on Monday that Mayor Richard Thomas pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny and filing a false disclosure report. Both charges are misdemeanors. The Democrat was given a one-year "conditional discharge," in which he cannot seek any appointed or elected public office. He also was fined $13,000. James says Thomas "broke the law, and violated public trust" by "using campaign funds to line his own pockets."
Thomas' plea was announced just as his trial was scheduled to start.
Shawyn Patterson-Howard has declared victory over Thomas in June’s Democratic primary for mayor.