Former school district official indicted on bribe receiving, official misconduct

WHITE PLAINS – The former head of purchasing for the Mount Vernon City School District was indicted Tuesday by a Westchester County grand jury on charges of bribe receiving, official misconduct, receiving unlawful gratuities and petit larceny.

It is alleged that between June 21 and July 13, 2005, Arthur Rose, 49, of Mount Vernon took a bribe of $3,500 from a sales rep of Ricoh Americas Corp. for his assurance that Ricoh would received a five year contract from the school district for 73 digital copiers, support products and related services.

On August 3, 2005, based on Rose’s recommendation, the district awarded the contract to Ricoh.

It is also alleged that between June 1 and September 1, 2006, Rose solicited and accepted a bribe in the form of a $10,000 donation to his church, Upon This rock Ministries, from the owner of Tri-State Supply Co., a custodial supply business, in exchange for future business which was later awarded.

In a third incident, between March 1 and September 1, 2006, Rose secured and used a school district gas card for personal use.

Bail was set at $25,000 cash or $100,000 bond.

If convicted, Rose could face up to seven years in state prison.