A hearing was held in Mount Vernon Tuesday night over the demolition of a so-called zombie home at 136 Park Ave. that was demolished in January.

The architect who was ready to rebuild the property, which had been abandoned for years, was one of 13 people subpoenaed by the City Council to testify why it was torn down.

During the hearing, the city's superintendent of plumbing read a text message he received in January that said the property should be a priority and demolished. He also said that permit laws were not followed.

A campaign staffer for Mayor Richard Thomas says he believes the contractor brought in to demolish the property was being rewarded for giving a major financial contribution to Thomas during his run for office.

City officials say the home was on the verge of collapse and needed the emergency demolition in order to protect the public.

Mayor Thomas was asked to speak before the City Council Tuesday night but declined. News 12 has learned that he has retained an attorney with regard to the matter.

Over the phone, Thomas told News 12 that the situation is "nothing more than crooked politicians trying to get jobs and money for their cronies." He added that he plans on addressing a cleanup of corruption at City Hall during his first State of the City address this Thursday.