William Serratore, Director of Sustainability for the City of Yonkers, was indicted on election-related fraud charges on Wednesday, September 13th.
According to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II, the alleged fraud occurred during the primary election nominating period between March 6th, 2023, and April 7th, 2023. Around this time, individuals who were believed to have signed petitions for Mt. Kisco mayoral candidate Tom Luzio came forward with affidavits asserting that their signatures had been falsified. After an investigation, William Serratore stands accused of forging and attesting to forged signatures on three separate nominating petitions for candidate Luzio that he later submitted to the Westchester County Board of Elections.
Additionally, on April 2nd, William’s son, Carmelo Serratore, allegedly forged signatures on a petition, which was also filed with the Westchester County Board of Elections.
William Serratore faces a total of fifteen felony counts, including Forgery in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Meanwhile, his son, Carmelo, has been charged with four felony counts. These include Forgery in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree.
The investigation into these alleged offenses was conducted by the Rockland County DA, acting in a Special Prosecutorial capacity. The case was sent to that office by Westchester County DA Rocah after she recused herself. Her recusal came because Tom Luzio was an advisor on her last campaign. Senior Assistant District Attorney Rebecca McGee has been assigned to prosecute the case. Michael Kennedy Burke of Hodges Walsh & Burke, LLP is William Serratore’s defense counsel. Both defendants were arraigned on September 13th, before the Honorable Robert A. Neary in Westchester County Court; pleading not guilty to all charges.
It is unknown at this time if Mr. Serratore’s alleged illegal acts extended into Yonkers’ politics.
*Correction: an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Serratore was indicted in Rockland County. He was indicted in Westchester County by the Rockland County DA.
