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Peekskill council urges Councilman Rob Scott to resign after guilty plea
Summary
At the Oct. 8 Committee of the Whole, the mayor and multiple council members publicly urged Councilman Rob Scott to resign after his guilty plea, and said they will pursue a censure resolution and seek guidance from the governor's office if he does not step down.
The mayor opened the meeting by calling on Councilman Rob Scott to step down after what the mayor described as Scott’s “temporary or interim guilty plea,” saying it ‘‘undermines the integrity of our local government’’ and that ‘‘the residents of Peekskill deserve leaders who uphold the highest ethical standards.’'
Several council members echoed that call, stressing moral responsibility even where the council lacks legal authority to remove a seated member. One council member said the council would ‘‘move forward for a resolution for censure and also seek the guidance from the governor’s office for removal procedures’’ if Scott does not resign. Another council member noted the matter ‘‘tests our leadership, our integrity and our compassion’’ while urging accountability.
Rob Scott responded to the remarks, saying he would issue an official statement in a different forum and disputing some media accounts. ‘‘I did not plead guilty to forging anything. So if you read anything that says that, that is a lie,’’ Scott said, according to the meeting transcript. He thanked colleagues for their comments and said he would consider the council’s remarks.
No formal removal occurred at the meeting; council members framed next steps as a possible censure resolution and consultation with the governor’s office rather than a council removal vote. The body then proceeded to budget presentations as scheduled.
