A second brother of Mount Vernon's new mayor had a run-in with the law this week.

Police say Preston Thomas, the 42-year-old half-brother of Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas, was arrested Monday for allegedly punching his girlfriend in the face four times when she ended their relationship. He was later arraigned for the misdemeanor charge and two violations, and released on his own recognizance.

Previously, Thomas' other half-brother, Henry George Thomas, had legal troubles. A week into the mayor's first term, Henry George Thomas, a veteran city firefighter and union president, resigned after pleading guilty to federal gun trafficking charges stemming from an arrest last year.

Mayor Thomas declined to comment to News 12 on his half-brother's arrest. He is not implicated in any of the charges against his brothers.

Despite his family drama, many residents want to give the mayor the benefit of the doubt.

"As long as he's helping Mount Vernon get better, that's all that matters," says resident Simone Perez.