Derickson Lawrence, a Mount Vernon businessman and prominent community activist, has been found guilty on federal charges of wire and mail fraud.

Lawrence was convicted in Virginia for defrauding restaurant employees and misusing funds from the COVID-19 relief program.

Lawrence, 67, served as the sole owner of a company providing third-party payroll services, with its sole client being a Virginia Beach company that owned restaurant franchises.

He diverted payroll funds to a bank account under his control and subsequently wired approximately $230,000 from that account to his brokerage account over a two-year period. Additionally, Lawrence used the funds to issue debit cards for himself and family members.

Lawrence has served as chair of the Mount Vernon Charter Commission and Westchester Crimestoppers. He also sought the Democratic nod for Congress in 2018.

He faces sentencing in July.