Monticello, New York, Democratic Mayor Gordon Jenkins—a member of Michael Bloomberg’s Mayors Against Illegal Guns—was arrested Thursday on bribery charges, the latest in a long string of legal and ethical foibles by Jenkins.
Mayors Against Illegal Guns is one of several Bloomberg-backed entities dedicated to limiting gun rights. Bloomberg has pledged to spend $50 million this year to build a "grassroots" network of activists supporting his cause, according to the New York Times. Jenkins is one of many members of Mayors Against Illegal Guns to partake in illegal activity.
Jenkins and Monticello Building Inspector James Snowden were arrested late last week, according the Daily Freeman. The charges included "bribe receiving" and "endangering the public health"; the mayor "was also charged with intimidating a witness, a felony, in connection with an incident in Fallsburg."
This is not the first time the embattled mayor has gotten in trouble with the law since joining Bloomberg’s group. CBS New York reported in 2013 that he had been arrested for driving while intoxicated. Jenkins has come under fire in his hometown and was described as "not competent" by Monticello Village Manager Raymond Nargizian.
"These people are a serious part of the problem; they are not part of the solution," Nargizian said of Jenkins and another Monticello official in comments given to the Mid Hudson News on Saturday. He also said Jenkins should step down.
Jenkins is one of a number of mayors to engage in illegal activities while serving as a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. As the Washington Free Beacon has previously reported:
Spring Valley, N.Y., Mayor Noramie Jasmin (D.) was arrested in April for allegedly accepting bribes from an FBI informant. In March, Gainesville, Fla., Mayor Craig Lowe was charged with a DUI after police found him asleep at the scene of a car accident.
Marcus Hook, Pa., Mayor James Schiliro was arrested for reckless endangerment after allegedly firing a handgun inside his home during a drunken argument with a 20-year-old man.
Other current and former MAIG members have been charged with felony corruption, assault of a police officer, and child sex crimes.