VOLUME 1 / ISSUE 11
COMPLIMENTARY
Unapologetically Delivering News To Communities Of Color in Westchester & Surrounding Areas
JUNE 2018
MAYOR THOMAS -VS- NYS AG’S OFFICE
BLACK WESTCHESTER
BY AJ WOODSON
FEATURES
JOSEPH SPIEZIO: HIS ILLEGITMACY AS POLICE COMMISSIONER AND PUTTING A COMMUNITY AT RISK
BY DAMON K. JONES
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CHECK OUT THE BLACK WESTCHESTER POWERHOUR MONDAY, JUNE 4TH 11AM-NOON
AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH
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Just in case you haven’t been keeping score, here is a quick recap on Mayor Richard W. Thomas’ highly publicized battle with the New York State Attorney General’s office. On Monday, March 12th former NYS Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who have worked together to fight corruption through their Joint Task Force on Public Integrity brought charges against Mayor Thomas as part of their corruption probe into campaign finance irregularities. Mayor Thomas was arrested and arraigned, after an investigation that exposed the alleged theft of approximately $12,900 from his campaign committee, and the diversion of over $45,000 from his inaugural committee for personal use and his failure to disclose it. The case was schedule to begin on Tuesday, May 1st but was postponed by the judge until June 1st. A week later, Schneiderman resigned on Monday, May 7th as state AG, after a New Yorker report detailed four women’s accusations that he emotionally and physically abused them. Hours later Mayor Thomas called for an investigation of Scheiderman. On Monday, May 14th, Mayor Thomas commenced a CPLR Article 78 Petition to declare Acting Attorney General Barbara Underwood - in her official capacity as Acting AG - does not have legal authority to investigate him. Two days later, on Wednesday, May 16th, Mayor Thomas was indicted by a grand jury, on charges that he stole campaign funds and failed to disclose his receipt of inaugural funds that he used for personal expenses. On Monday, May 21st Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron, Judge denies bid by Mayor Thomas to block AG case. Four days later on Friday, May 25th Mayor Thomas was arraigned at White Plains County Court, Room 303 before Judge Barry Warhit. The AG’s case against Thomas begins Friday, June 1st, to be heard by Judge Ann E. Minihan... (Continued of Page 14)
LET JANIS GIRLS LEARN DECISION BY CYNTHIA TURNQUEST-JONES PAGE 25
BY DAMON K. JONES PAGE 21
WELCOMING MARIJUANA WRONGFULLY ACCUSED WHILE UNDERSTANDING A 345 YEAR ADDICTION SOCIAL EQUITY BY YASMIN HURSTON CORNELIUS PAGE 19
BY CYNTHIA TURNQUEST-JONES
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