Former Cicero employee says town supervisor ‘made me a prisoner to my office desk’

CICERO N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — All four Cicero town councilors are calling on the resignation of Cicero Town Supervisor, Michael Aregano.

It comes after his former secretary, Natalie VanEpps, accused him of harassment and other misconduct during her time working for him in 2022.

"I would go to the bathroom too much. I would have to get permission to go to the bathroom. It started to become very dehumanizing," Natalie VanEpps told NewsChannel 9.

VanEpps filed a five-page affidavit with the town in late September, detailing her experience.

"Supervisor Aregano functionally made me a prisoner to my office desk," VanEpps said in her affidavit.

VanEpps said the second-term supervisor, who is also a retired Cicero police officer, would, "scream at me so loud, that everybody in the Town Hall could hear it."

"For me, it's traumatizing because I never had a boss speak to me like that," VanEpps added.

After the Cicero Town Council was notified about the allegations in late September, they voted for an outside firm to investigate. In the meantime, Supervisor Aregano remains on the job and continues to come into the office. That's why Councilor Ashley Hogan decided to raise her voice at last month's board meeting.

"At the very least, Supervisor Aregano should be working virtually from home to ensure the integrity of the investigation, as well as the emotional safety of all employees. Supervisor Aregano, are you willing to abide by this?" Councilor Ashley Hogan asked during a town board meeting on Oct. 9, 2024.

"Absolutely not," Supervisor Aregano answered.

In a statement to NewsChannel9, Supervisor Aregano calls the allegations false. He also spoke about it publicly.

"The allegations here are not true," he said during a town board meeting on Oct. 23, 2024. "Even if true, which they are not, this is not the proper place to address or make any personal attacks on anyone, whether the board members or residents."

Councilor Hogan has since doubled down on her stance. Now, she's also calling for Aregano's resignation.

And she's not alone. The remaining three town board members also tell NewsChannel 9 that the supervisor should resign. They also believe VanEpps' allegations are credible.

In an emailed statement, Councilor Jonathan Karp said, "I have spoken to multiple current town employees that have corroborated her allegations."

"Yes, I believe the allegations are credible," Councilor Michael Mirizio added in an emailed statement.

"Yes, I feel the allegations have credibility," Councilor Michael Becallo echoed in an emailed statement.

"We have the obligation as town councilors to stand up for bravery and justice," Councilor Hogan said. "If anyone is to be made to feel unsafe in any way, shape, or form, that is to be taken seriously."

In response to the calls for his resignation, Supervisor Aregano said the town councilors are "spreading baseless allegations" and he dismisses the accusations as a "smear campaign." He also tells NewsChannel 9 he plans on running for re-election next year.

After three failed mediation attempts, VanEpps said she quit her job in late 2022, after working for Aregano for nearly a year.

She said she's speaking up now, with the hopes of inspiring others to stand up for themselves.

"I got everything taken away from me, as an employee, as a woman," VanEpps said. "I felt like I needed to do it for myself."

These issues will likely be addressed at Wednesday's Town Council meeting which starts at 6:30 p.m.

Read Supervisor Aregano's full statement below:

Supervisor-Areganos-Statement

Read VanEpps' five-page affidavit below:

ComplaintAgainstCiceroSupervisorAregano Download

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