Mount Vernon mayor pleads guilty to failing to file tax returns

MOUNT VERNON (WABC) -- Ernie Davis managed a smile, but let his lawyer do the talking. On Tuesday morning, the mayor of Mt. Vernon admitted in Federal Court he failed to file income tax returns in 2003 and 2011 - misdemeanors that could send the 76-year-old to prison.

The 2003 case involves a building Davis owned on Sanford Boulevard. The building burned down and has since been rebuilt. Davis sold the building for a profit, but never paid taxes on it.

Davis has long been under the microscope. In 2007, the FBI raided Mt. Vernon City Hall, seizing boxes of records. That year, Davis was voted out of office, but was elected mayor in 2011. Westchester County Democratic Party Chairman, Reginald Lafayette calls him a good mayor.

"It appears this is a personal matter, and in this personal matter, I don't have all the details," says Lafayette.

However, not everyone agrees. In court, Davis admitted he also failed to file a personal tax return. In 2011, he earned $106,000. City Council member Richard Thomas questions the mayor's ability to lead.

Davis will be sentenced in January, but in the one brief comment uttered Tuesday, he made clear he has no intention of stepping down.

"I still support my people, and I will go back to work," Davis says.