Also Calls on State, Federal Agencies to Investigate City’s Financials
Mount Vernon, NY — With just weeks before Mount Vernon’s critical municipal election, prominent civil rights attorney Lauren P. Raysor is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to deploy federal election monitors, citing what she describes as a “coordinated campaign to undermine the democratic process.”
Raysor, who has a long history of fighting for voter protection and civil rights, warns of systemic abuses ahead of the June 24 election for City Council, City Court Judge, and City Comptroller.
“This is not politics as usual — this is a full-scale effort to manipulate an election using public funds, intimidation, and deceptive campaigning,” said Raysor. “Without federal oversight, voters in Mount Vernon cannot have confidence in a fair and transparent election.”
Allegations Include:
- Untraceable Political Spending: A group known as Rise Up Mount Vernon — which claims to be an independent expenditure committee — is promoting a full slate of candidates closely aligned with the Mayor. Despite its “independent” label, the group appears to operate as an unofficial arm of the Mayor’s political machine, complete with coordinated messaging, graphics, and campaign slogans.
Public filings show its sole $25,000 donation came from Rella Fogliano, CEO of MacQuesten Development, a developer with multimillion-dollar interests in city projects. The company has been the subject of investigative reports regarding political contributions in Westchester. - Misuse of Public Resources: City employees, taxpayer-funded facilities, and municipal funds have allegedly been used for partisan purposes — a direct violation of city law (Mount Vernon Code §24-4), which prohibits city workers from engaging in political activity while on duty or with public resources.
- Conflict of Interest and Abuse of Office: The Mayor is accused of actively campaigning for favored candidates while using her official capacity to host forums, attend fundraisers with city-funded security, and certify petitions — including for candidates she personally endorsed.
- Fraudulent Election Materials: Flyers labeled as “Official Sample Ballots” — omitting opposing candidates — were distributed through Rise Up Mount Vernon and local religious networks, misleading voters and potentially suppressing turnout.
- Partisan Activity by Religious Organizations: Multiple 501(c)(3) religious institutions allegedly endorsed candidates and distributed campaign materials, violating IRS nonprofit regulations and New York State nonprofit law.
- Election Security Concerns: Questions have been raised over the integrity of Mount Vernon’s voting machines, with no clear plan for independent oversight.
- Intimidation and Voter Suppression: Opponents of the current political establishment report harassment, public defamation, and even the theft and vandalism of campaign materials. One example includes a city official allegedly launching a website to smear rival candidates — a matter now under appeal with the State Education Department.
Call for Immediate Action
Raysor is urging the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division to launch an immediate investigation and station federal monitors in Mount Vernon throughout the election process — from ballot preparation and staffing to vote tabulation.
In addition, Raysor is asking the U.S. and New York Attorney General’s Offices and the New York State Comptroller’s Office to investigate the Mayor’s office for misuse of taxpayer funds, not only during this campaign, but during the Mayor’s tenure in office.
“We are witnessing a coordinated effort to rig this election from the inside,” said Raysor. “It’s not just unethical — it may be illegal. Without intervention, this election will not reflect the will of the people.”
For more information, call (914) 733-8080 or visit www.laurenpraysor.com.
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About Lauren P. Raysor
Lauren P. Raysor is an attorney concentrating in personal injury, civil rights, bankruptcy, matrimonial and family law. She has litigated numerous cases over the years, taking more than 35 cases to verdict and has argued before the Appellate Division in the case of Makeda Barnes Joseph v. Universal Music Group. She served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon, where she was in charge of the city’s Law Department. Ms. Raysor is currently outside counsel for the New York State Dormitory Authority, and served as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Upper Manhattan Region, outside counsel to the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and counsel at a Wall Street law firm.
