A stunning lawsuit has rocked Westchester County, alleging that the Democrat mayor of Mount Vernon secretly warned a political ally that he was about to be arrested for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old girl — giving him a two-week head start to prepare his defense before authorities made the bust.
According to court filings obtained by our newsroom, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard — a rising star in local Democrat politics — called disgraced youth basketball coach Dwayne Murray to City Hall in late April to tip him off about the disturbing investigation.
“This is corruption at its core,” said local activist Gabriel Thompson, who filed the civil suit. “The mayor had knowledge of these horrific accusations and didn’t just fail to act — she helped the suspect.”
Thompson, a Mount Vernon resident with no political ambitions, is now demanding the mayor’s immediate resignation.
Coach Accused of Serial Abuse
Murray, 62, was arrested on May 15 and charged with the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl. Authorities say the abuse spanned more than a year. He is currently jailed without bail in the Westchester County lockup.
Murray was no stranger to city politics. He worked on Patterson-Howard’s campaign and even lived with Mount Vernon School Board member Erica Peterson — one of several candidates the mayor is accused of promoting using city resources.
For years, Murray served as executive director of the Mount Vernon Junior Knights youth basketball program, a cornerstone of the city’s sports culture. But behind the scenes, prosecutors allege, he was grooming and abusing a vulnerable child.
Lawsuit Claims Mayor Showed Murray Confidential Tip
The new lawsuit alleges that on April 28, Mayor Patterson-Howard received a troubling text from a supporter warning her that a “close associate” was under investigation for molesting a young teen and stealing from a nonprofit.
Rather than alerting law enforcement, the lawsuit says Patterson-Howard summoned Murray to City Hall — and showed him the message.
In a video posted online days later, Murray denied any wrongdoing but confirmed he had spoken with the mayor.
“She told me she got a text message,” he admitted.
Despite his public denials, prosecutors moved forward with charges, revealing in a May press conference that Murray was accused of molesting a 12-year-old girl over the course of a year.
Activist: “If the DA Won’t Act, I Will”
Thompson, who filed the lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court, told our team he felt compelled to act after witnessing what he called “a total breakdown of moral leadership.”
“If the district attorney is too afraid to take a stand because it might upset her voting base, I’ll do it myself,” he said.
“No one on the city council has said a word. Not one of them has called on her to resign. So I did.”
Misuse of Power, Security, and Tax Dollars
Thompson’s lawsuit doesn’t stop at the alleged tip-off. He also claims the mayor has been using taxpayer money to fund a personal police security detail — even bringing them to a mayors’ conference in Washington, D.C.
He further alleges she campaigned for school board candidates — including her former roommate — during work hours, again misusing city resources for political gain.
“This is a mayor who treats Mount Vernon like her personal kingdom,” Thompson said. “And the people paying the price are the taxpayers and, tragically, our children.”
Mount Vernon’s Long History of Corruption
The case has reignited concerns in a city already notorious for political scandal. Two of Mount Vernon’s past three mayors pleaded guilty to criminal charges — one for campaign finance violations, the other for federal tax evasion.
Mount Vernon remains a solid Democrat stronghold, and Patterson-Howard has enjoyed broad support from liberal political groups, including Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network.
Mayor Denies Wrongdoing — But Dodges the Tip-Off Allegation
In a statement released to local outlet lohud.com, Patterson-Howard called the lawsuit “politically motivated and frivolous.”
“When I took office, I promised to lead with integrity,” she said. “And I have kept that promise.”
But notably, her office has refused to directly address the accusation that she warned a potential child predator before his arrest.
GOP Response: “Where’s the Outrage?”
Republican officials are calling for a full investigation.
“This is a Democrat mayor, tied to a known predator, who may have actively obstructed justice,” said one local GOP official. “If this were a Republican, there would be protests in the streets and nonstop media coverage. Where’s the outrage now?”
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment.
As for Thompson, he says he’s not stopping anytime soon.
“This is about protecting the community,” he said. “And holding the people in power accountable — no matter what party they belong to.”
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The two paragraphs below should tell you all you need to know about this travesty.
The case has reignited concerns in a city already notorious for political scandal. Two of Mount Vernon’s past three mayors pleaded guilty to criminal charges — one for campaign finance violations, the other for federal tax evasion.
Mount Vernon remains a solid Democrat stronghold, and Patterson-Howard has enjoyed broad support from liberal political groups, including Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network.