Community activist Samuel Rivers filed a lawsuit against Mount Vernon Mayor Ernie Davis on Friday.

The two had a heated exchange on the steps of Mount Vernon City Hall, with Rivers saying that Davis' two convictions on tax evasion mean that he is ineligible to run again for mayor in the September primary.

During Rivers' news conference, the mayor interrupted him and defended himself against the allegations. He said that Mount Vernon has been "advantaged" with his leadership during his tenure.

Mayor Davis is expected in court July 27 to respond to the lawsuit.