Official Press Release from the Campaign of Christopher Johnson
As a legislator, an educator, a Yonkers resident, and a father, I’m committed to protecting children from the clutches of predators. Like the public, I was appalled to learn that a Westchester government employee is accused of a heinous crime. Equally disturbing is Councilmember Williams‘ shameful attempt to exploit this unfortunate situation with blatantly false and misleading claims.
The staffer in question worked for the central staff of the Board of Legislators, which is the sole responsibility of the Chair of the Board. Neither the Majority Leader nor any other legislator has or had individual direct hire/fire authority over central staff/committee coordinators. I became aware of these allegations only 30 minutes before the staffer in question was terminated from employment.
However, Councilmember Williams was silent when a City of Yonkers employee, and her friend, appointed by her political patron Mayor Spano — the same person who appointed her to the council seat she currently occupies — was arrested for drunk driving the wrong way on a major roadway. This blatant hypocrisy and misstatement of facts, in addition to politicizing an internal staffing issue that has already been resolved, is a clear violation of the public trust that demonstrates her unfitness for political office. The last thing the people of Yonkers need is elected officials more concerned about personal aggrandizement than the safety and well-being of its residents, particularly our children.
Since discovering this incident last Thursday, I have been in discussions with my colleagues about addressing any lapses that may have occurred, including any appropriate measures that need to be taken at the Board.
Councilmember Williams’ actions are right out of the dirty tricks playbook of her mentors and patrons, former Republicans Mayor Mike Spano and Yonkers GOP Chair Zehy Jereis — she and they should be ashamed for spewing dangerous untruths that erode trust in government and make our community and our children less safe.
