Harassment Allegations Detailed In Village Manager's Complaint

MAMARONECK, NY — Allegations of abuse of power, sexual harassment and political retaliation are outlined in a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint that has now been referred to the Department of Justice.

When disaster hit, Mamaroneck Village Manager Jerry Barberio spent sleepless nights driving the streets in his now familiar signature white municipal pickup truck. In the long hours before, during and after Post-tropical Cyclone Ida arrived, Barberio could be found both personally directing the village's response and comforting neighbors who saw their lives changed forever.

Now, the village manager who was publicly lauded for his efforts just a few months ago, said abusive behavior by an elected official has him ready to give up the job he loves. Barberio said that he will continue to give his all until his complaint filed with the EEOC and more recently referred to the DOJ is resolved — one way or another.

"I still have a sworn duty to the people of the village I serve," Barberio told Patch Thursday afternoon. "We are still recovering from the worst natural disaster in a generation. There's a lot of work still to be done and I'm going to keep working 12-hour days to make sure the people get every opportunity to get back some of what was lost."

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Barberio noted that the village's FEMA recovery package includes more than $19 million in federal aid. He said that making certain every penny of that assistance is claimed and directed where it can be best used is a monumental task that requires the attention of every level of the municipal government, as well as a close working relationship with federal and state officials. He added that leaving his position isn't something he takes lightly.

The first public indications that the relationship between at least some of the village's elected officials and the once celebrated village manager had deteriorated became clear when Barberio filed an EEOC complaint with the New York State Commission on Human Rights, detailing accusations of sexual harassment, abuse of power and retaliation against Barberio.

In the workplace discrimination complaint obtained by Patch, Barberio accuses Village Trustee Daniel Natchez of sexually harassing him and abusing his power to retaliate against him when Barberio voiced concerns about the trustee's behavior. Natchez made unwanted sexual advances by inviting him twice to sleep at his house in a spare bedroom, according to Barberio's complaint.

The incidents in which Natchez offered Barberio a place to sleep both reportedly occurred shortly after the village manager first accepted the position and was commuting to work while living out of town.

In the complaint filed in November, Barberio also accuses Natchez of abusing his position as a police commissioner to attempt to intimidate officers after a mother called police because she believed the trustee was taking photos of children playing at a playground in Harbor Island Park. Natchez reportedly identified himself as a village official and told police he was taking the photos in an official capacity to document how the playground equipment was used.

An investigation into this matter was referred to the Westchester County District Attorney's Office for investigation.

For his part, Natchez called the complaint baseless and said he welcomed a full investigation into the allegations.

"I cannot comment on a matter that may involve litigation," Trustee Natchez told Patch in a statement on Thursday. "The allegations of the EEOC charge lack merit and are baseless. I look forward through independent investigation of the allegations and will be completely exonerated."

Barberio alleges in his complaint that after he brought his concerns to village officials, Natchez and Trustee Nora Lucas launched a campaign of targeted harassment against him. He said that, while his response to Ida was previously praised, Natchez then started to undercut his record in retaliation. In his complaint, Barberio said Natchez and political allies began to criticize his handling of the Ida response soon after Barberio leveled charges against Natchez.

Barberio said he tried to avoid filing the EEOC complaint, but he said his efforts to address concerns with Mayor Tom Murphy and the village's Board of Ethics were largely dismissed. He added that in hindsight, he probably should have escalated his complaints sooner rather than waiting to give village officials an opportunity to do the right thing.

While Mamaroneck Mayor Tom Murphy has admitted in public comments that he did not initially appreciate the gravity of Barberio's complaints, he told Patch that he agrees that the charges are "serious" and should be thoroughly investigated by appropriate, independent agencies.