Steven “Butch” Thomas, brother of former Mount Vernon Mayor Richard W. Thomas, filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy on July 3, 2025, after losing a defamation lawsuit in June 2023, filed against him by former Mount Vernon City School Board President Lesly Zamor.
“It’s very unfortunate that it had to come down to this with Butch. I had considered Butch a friend. He did work for me at my house and for my clients. However, I think the influence of Joe Spezio was overwhelming, as he and his brother, Richie, were receiving money from Spezio, and they both lost their better judgment, specifically Butch, when he decided to collaborate with Spezio to write these false and defamatory stories about me. The era of people writing baseless and defamatory statements against each other needs to stop. It’s very difficult to hide behind fake internet and social media accounts nowadays, and you will be found out. This judgment against Butch in my favor proves just that. Just don’t do it. We can agree to disagree, but there’s never a reason to make personal attacks that are baseless and can damage people’s reputations. I hope that we can all be on the same team for a better and more prosperous Mount Vernon,” Zamor shared with Black Westchester.
In June 2018, Lesly Zamor filed a summons and complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Westchester, against Thomas, alleging defamation and libel per se, and seeking at least $1,000,000 in damages, stemming from an online smear campaign that began in 2017.
The complaint specifically references an email sent on June 30, 2017, by an anonymous person under the name “MV Ed” Citizens for a Better Board, which allegedly contained defamatory statements about Zamor. This email is presented as an example of the alleged smear campaign.
On June 13, 2023, by a preponderance of the evidence, the jury unanimously returned a verdict holding Thomas liable for circulating defamatory statements about Zamor and, by clear and convincing evidence, concluded that statements by Butch Thomas, a 2017 Republican candidate for the Mount Vernon City Council were false and that, when he circulated or allowed the circulation of these statements through his Mail Chimps’ account, plaintiff knew the statements were false or acted in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the statements.
The jury unanimously awarded Zamor $35,000 in compensatory damages. Five jurors determined that Thomas was liable for punitive damages, and after the court charged the jury with respect to punitive damages, the jury unanimously awarded Zamor $10,000 in punitive damages. Ordering Thomas to pay $45,000 within 20 days following the judgment on June 29, 2023, plus $700 in costs according to CPLR section 8201 (1-3) for a total of $45,700. After July 19, 2023, if not paid 9% interest commenced.
Zamor previously served as a trustee and president of the Mount Vernon City School Board, as well as a commissioner on the City of Mount Vernon’s Planning Board. The lawsuit claims the smear campaign was intended to defame him, damage his reputation, and undermine his leadership.
