Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard allegedly tipped off an accused child molester about his impending arrest, while also misusing taxpayer dollars for personal and political gain according to a bombshell lawsuit.
Key Takeaways
- Mayor Patterson-Howard allegedly warned basketball coach Dwayne Murray about his impending arrest for molesting a 12-year-old girl
- Murray, 62, executive director of a youth basketball program and campaign worker for the mayor, is charged with sexual abuse of a minor and held without bail
- The lawsuit also accuses the mayor of misappropriating city funds for school board campaigns and maintaining an unnecessary police security detail
- Community activist Gabriel Thompson filed the lawsuit and is calling for the mayor’s resignation
Alleged Protection of an Accused Child Molester
The Democratic mayor of Mount Vernon, New York is facing serious allegations that could potentially end her political career. According to a lawsuit filed by community activist Gabriel Thompson, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard allegedly summoned basketball coach Dwayne Murray to City Hall in late April to warn him about an investigation into charges that he had molested a 12-year-old girl. Murray, 62, who served as the executive director of the Mount Vernon Junior Knights youth basketball program, now faces sexual abuse charges and is being held without bail.
The lawsuit claims that Patterson-Howard’s actions were motivated by Murray’s close connection to her political campaigns. This accusation suggests a disturbing prioritization of political loyalty over the safety of children in the community. Thompson, who filed the lawsuit, has explicitly called for the mayor’s resignation, stating that his motivation is purely as a concerned citizen with no political agenda. The gravity of these allegations cannot be overstated, especially considering the vulnerable population Murray worked with through his basketball program.
Misuse of Public Office and Resources
Beyond the shocking allegations regarding the child molestation case, the lawsuit outlines a pattern of misuse of public resources. Thompson claims that Patterson-Howard has been improperly using her position and taxpayer dollars to campaign for school board candidates during city time. This accusation suggests a systematic blurring of lines between official duties and political activities, potentially violating ethical standards that govern public officials. If proven true, these actions would represent a significant breach of public trust.
The lawsuit further alleges that the mayor has maintained a police security detail primarily for personal use rather than legitimate security concerns. This accusation implies that taxpayer-funded resources are being diverted from their intended purpose of serving the community to instead providing personal benefits to the mayor. Such misappropriation would constitute a serious abuse of power and misuse of public funds that could have otherwise been directed toward community services and programs.
Mayor’s Response and Mount Vernon’s History of Corruption
When approached for comment, Mayor Patterson-Howard’s spokesperson declined to address the specific allegations in the lawsuit. However, in a statement to lohud.com, the mayor dismissed the lawsuit as “politically motivated and frivolous.” This defensive stance suggests an unwillingness to directly confront the serious nature of the accusations, instead attempting to frame them as political attacks rather than substantive concerns about potential misconduct. The lack of a detailed rebuttal to the specific allegations is noteworthy.
Unfortunately, political scandals are not new to Mount Vernon. The lawsuit comes against a backdrop of a troubling history of corruption, with the two previous mayors both pleading guilty to criminal charges. This context raises concerns about potential systemic issues within the city’s governance structures. The pattern of alleged misconduct spanning multiple administrations suggests deeper institutional problems that may require more comprehensive reforms beyond addressing the current allegations against Patterson-Howard. Thompson’s lawsuit may represent just the latest chapter in Mount Vernon’s ongoing struggle with political integrity.
