On December 4 2023,, the Village of Mamaroneck residents swore in Sharon Torres as their new Mayor. Torres beat Democratic incumbent Tom Murphy.
It did not take long for Torres to spring into action. That action took the form of an investigation by the Village of Mamaroneck Board of Ethics in regards to Village of Mamaroneck board trustee, Emmanuel, (Manny) Rawlings. The findings were as follows:
" February 7, 2024, Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Sharon Torres sent an email to the Ethics
Board, requesting an Advisory Opinion, pursuant to Code of Ethics section 21-16 A.
The mayor’s email stated that her request for an opinion arose from questions regarding the
participation of village trustee Emmanuel Rawlings in the Board of Trustees’ process for the
proposed development of the Hunter tier parking lot. Because it had been alleged that Trustee
Rawlings is a judgment debtor in an eviction action brought by one of the developers seeking
approval, the mayor questioned whether the trustee’s participation would, under the Code of
Ethics, “give the reasonable appearance of impropriety (Section 21-4 (C)(1).”
.
Opinion of the Ethics Board
• Trustee Rawlings should recuse himself from taking part as trustee in all discussions,
proceedings and votes relating to the Hunter tier development matter in which the
Washingtonville Housing Alliance (“the WHA”) is under consideration for selection,
because the trustee’s mother was a Respondent in a Petition for Nonpayment of rent
brought by the WHA, which is one of the parties seeking approval as developer. Trustee
Rawlings’s participation would, pursuant to code section 21-4 C (1), “…give the
reasonable appearance of a conflict of interest….”
• Trustee Rawlings retains his right as private citizen to express his opinion on the Hunter
tier development and the village’s decision-making process. At such times as the Board
of Trustees undertakes any discussion, vote, or public hearing of the project, Trustee
Rawlings must step down from the dais, panel or formal array of trustees. He should not
be present during any executive session involving the development. He may be present
and participate as a member of the public in any public session
• Based on
1) the Ethic Board’s examination of the Petition for Nonpayment file in the
matter entitled Washingtonville Housing Alliance, Inc. against Tiffany Rawlings and
Emmanuel Rawlings in Mamaroneck Town Court;
2) information provided to the Ethics
Board by the law firm that represented the WHA in its Petition for Nonpayment, and
3) research conducted by the board’s legal counsel at the board’s request: - - - -
there is no judgment outstanding against Trustee Rawlings arising from the Petition
for Nonpayment
no money judgment was entered against Trustee Rawlings in the case
no collection"
At issue is the legal residence of Emmanuel Rawlings and the conflict of interest that it may present.
An article detailed in the Mamaroneck Observer states that Tiffany Rawlings, the mother of Emmanuel Rawlings, was issued a court notice due to back rent owed. Trustee Rawlings was also named in the document. https://www.mamaroneckobserver.org/post/default-judgment-against-trustee-for-unpaid-back-rent
"During the interview, in response to questions, the trustee stated that he had resided at the
apartment at 725 Old White Plains Road since early childhood, until mid-July or August 2022.
He said that the Respondent in the petition, Tiffany Rawlings, is his mother. The trustee did not
recall ever signing a lease or obligation to pay rent on the apartment. He said that he recalled at
some time signing papers regarding his occupancy of the apartment that were required for
eligibility for Section 8 housing. He said he had no knowledge of the Petition for Nonpayment
until he read about it in the Mamaroneck Observer."
Records show that Trustee Rawlings registered 725 Old White Plains Road, Mamaroneck NY as his official address when he filed residency status for Board of Trustees in 2022.
That residence is administered by Washingtonville Housing Alliance. The group is also involved with a controversial affordable housing initiative known as the Hunter Lot Project. https://mhsglobe.com/2205/news/the-hunter-lot-latest-in-mamaronecks-fight-for-affordable-housing/
The proposed housing lottery would allow not only be open to Mamaroneck residents but New York City residents and undocumented migrants also. https://nypost.com/2019/08/21/illegal-immigrants-will-be-eligible-for-citys-affordable-housing-lotteries/ Some fear that this would increase competition and lessen availability to those who have lived in the area for an extended period of time. https://www.stophunterlot.org/
In 2014, the Washingtonville Housing Alliance formed a strategic alliance with Westhab, Inc. to enhance their housing portfolio and increase services to the Mamaroneck community. Westhab is involved in the Hunter Lot project.
Trustee Rawlings is employed by YPIE. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannyrawlings/ Yonkers Partners in Education. YPIE is a declared joint partner with Westhab. In regards to a recent joint project, YPIE executive director, Samuel Wallis stated:
“We are thrilled to partner with Westhab to ensure teens at Dayspring Community Center are prepared for success in college and careers"
Critics of Rawlings want him to recuse himself from decisions on the Hunter Lot project due to it's association with both Washingtonville Housing Alliance and Westhab. It is unknown if Washingtonville Housing Alliance has settled with Tiffany Rawlings' tenancy involving the back rent owed. https://www.mamaroneckobserver.org/post/default-judgment-against-trustee-for-unpaid-back-rent
As for Emmanuel Rawlings' liability.
"there is no judgment outstanding against Trustee Rawlings arising from the Petition
for Nonpayment
- no money judgment was entered against Trustee Rawlings in the case
- no collection case has been brought against Trustee Rawlings, and
- there is no open action regarding the petition,"
What is known is that Rawlings has refused to recuse. The fight on both sides is not over.