Spring Valley mayor’s impeachment trial underway in White Plains

A trial is underway in White Plains that could remove controversial Spring Valley Mayor Demeza Delhomme from office.

The call for Delhomme's removal dates back more than two years. The impeachment trial is the result of a petition by village residents to an appeals court.

In his opening statement, the lawyer for the Spring Valley residents listed several alleged violations, including charges that the mayor improperly purchased an SUV for the village and then took it on a vacation to North Carolina, using Spring Valley's EZPass and gas card for the trip.

The first witness on the stand was Spring Valley trustee Villair Fonvil, a one-time ally of the mayor. He testified Delhomme was not authorized to purchase the SUV or use it for a personal trip.

Delhomme's lawyer claimed the allegations were a political ploy by Fonvil to undermine the mayor's authority.

The trial is scheduled to resume Wednesday morning and continue on Friday, but a decision by the judge is not expected this week.