MOUNT VERNON – The City of Mount Vernon’s Office of Inspector General has initiated an official investigation into allegations of abuse of power levied against the Comptroller of the City of Mount Vernon, Maureen Walker. The allegations were made in a formal proceeding before the Board of Estimate and Contract on or about Oct. 1, 2008 by a law firm doing business with the city.

Inspector General Harry Stokes said that, “these are serious allegations that go to the very heart of public trust in our elected officials.’ He said it is important to “thoroughly and expeditiously investigate these claims so as to either fully vindicate the accused, if the allegation is unfounded: and restore public trust in the official or, pursue the proper remedies in the event there is indeed a basis for the allegations.”

No specific time estimate was given for the investigation other than it will be handled expeditiously but thoroughly so as to objectively assess the allegations in the full context of how they arose, Stokes’ office said.