NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson testified for 1 1/2 hours today, from later afternoon until early evening, after City Hall closed. His hearing began at 4:15 p.m. and ended at 5:45 p.m. Bramson was accompanied by his lawyer.
City Manager Charles B. Strome was the first witness called to testify before the New Rochelle Ethics Committee. Strome appeared Friday morning. Also testifying today is council members Albert Tarantino and Elizabeth Fried.
Under Article IX Section 94.02, local penalties for violating the New Rochelle City Charter include fines, suspension, or removal from office and any penalty contained in any other provision of law.
If the ethics committee finds Mayor Bramson violated the New Rochelle City Charter, the matter must be referred to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office by the City Manager. If Bramson were convicted of a misdemeanor, he would forfeit his office.
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It would come as no surprise to me if Noam and his lawyer are devising a deal behind the scenes in which Noam can resign and avoid an embarrassing prosecution and removal from office. Noam has destroyed his own reputation and resignation gives him a chance to salvage what little remains. He can no longer effectively serve as Mayor.
The residents of New Rochelle need to think long and hard about implementing term limits for the Mayor and City Council members. Staying in office too long fuels the cronyism and favoritism that have become hallmarks of Noam’s tenure in New Rochelle city govenment.