The Peekskill Common Council has censured another one of its members this year.
Councilman Robert Scott was censured on Tuesday, Oct. 14, after he accepted a guilty plea in a fraudulent election petition case at White Plains City Court on Oct. 7. The resolution passed by majority, 6 to 1, with Scott the only council member to oppose, and Councilwoman Kathleen Talbot voting virtually for health reasons. It was preceded by the council calling for Scott’s resignation a week prior.
Earlier this year, Councilman Ramon Fernandez was censured by the council.
Scott, who was arrested in April 2024 and charged with filing false petition documents containing forged signatures, pled guilty to a conditional misdemeanor for obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree and a violation of disorderly conduct.
The censure resolution, read by Deputy Mayor Patricia Riley, stated that Scott’s actions “undermined public confidence” in city government; was “unbecoming” of an elected representative of Peekskill; and claimed Scott expressed no remorse or contrition for his conduct.
“We had said at the beginning of this whole thing three years ago that we’ll go through the process, go through the court, and if you were found guilty or pled guilty, or whatever it is guilty, then we take the next step,” Riley said. “And the next step for us is censuring.”
Scott pushed back against criticism that he didn’t take accountability for his conduct and added that anyone who’s had to collect petitions understands the process and that there is “no way” to confirm someone’s identity.
“At the end of the day, I don’t know if I’ll ever be in politics again, but if I was, and I needed to go through this process again, I would just be more mindful of those that are around me and just do better due diligence, and just being mindful of my surroundings,” Scott said.
An investigation by the district’s attorney’s office determined that Scott’s petition submissions contained the names of eight individuals who said they did not sign the petitions. An investigator from the district attorney’s office stated in a Sept. 26 misdemeanor complaint that Scott said he personally signed the attestations of each of the individuals’ designating petitions.
Scott said the decision to take the guilty plea was made with his family. The conditions require he commit to 250 hours of community service within 365 days, with credit for community service already performed, and that he must remain out of trouble for 364 days. If the conditions are met, Scott can withdraw his misdemeanor plea.
“I’m sorry this happened,” Scott said. “This is horrible. I mean, I feel bad, but at the end of the day when we talk about accountability, I never blamed anyone… All I’ve ever said is what’s it got to do with me? Somebody says they didn’t do something. Okay, what does that have to do with me? I’ve never blamed the witnesses. I’ve never called anyone a liar.”
Councilman Brian Fassett voiced frustrations over the council being “forced to consider censure of a colleague for the second time” and said residents deserved leaders who take responsibility for their actions.
Councilman Fernandez was censured by the council on Jan. 27 over his allegedly using his official position to get traffic tickets dismissed for a family friend in 2018 by Peekskill City Court Judge Reginald Johnson, who was forced to retire last year. The Board of Ethics ultimately dismissed a complaint from the council on the allegations due to the statute of limitations expiring two months before it was referred to the board.
“The people of this city are watching and they are tired of distractions,” Fassett said. “It’s time for Councilman Fernandez and Councilman Scott to take accountability for their actions, to recognize the harm that’s been done and to show true responsibility and respect for our residents by stepping down. Real leadership isn’t about hoping the public forgets. It’s about showing respect, owning your mistakes and demonstrating accountability through actions.”
During public comment, two residents – Peekskill Democratic City Committee Chair Steve Kollias and certified public accountant John Hodgins – called for Scott’s resignation.
“I think it’s absolutely outrageous, sir, Mr. Scott, that you are still sitting here,” Hodgins said. “You pled guilty, and if you really cared about the city, you would do the right thing…. and resign.”
Scott indicated he was not planning on resigning and said he did care about the city, noting he’s had a business on Main Street for 10 years employing young people in the community. He added that he has donated over $25,000 to college students in the City of Peekskill.
“‘Everyone’s going to have their own perspective on this,” Scott said. “It’s a big world out here, many different cultures, many different languages. I mean, that’s just life. So doing the right thing may look a certain way for you, sir, but for me, like I said, it was a decision that I made as a family.”
The censure by the council serves as a formal statement of disapproval. The council does not have the authority to remove a seated member and would have to go through Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office. City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie previously said the council would seek guidance from the governor’s office for removal procedures if Scott does not resign.
[Editor’s Note: The Peekskill Herald corrected inaccuracies in its initial Oct. 8 report on Scott’s guilty plea, including the date of Robert Scott’s arrest, altering the headline so the guilty plea by Robert Scott is more precisely stated, and correcting a requirement of Scott’s conviction.]
