Manhattan Mayor Took Along Local Cops to Kick Out Single Mom

The mayor of Manhattan had the only two police officers working in the village accompany him to serve an eviction notice on a single mom living in one of his numerous rental properties.

Mayor William Borgo took along the only two officers on duty so they could “witness” him serve an eviction on tenant Jillian Szepelak. Police Administrator and Village Clerk Maddie Becker confirmed there were no other police working in town at the time.

Joliet attorney John Schrock said Borgo was out of bounds when he had the taxpayer-paid police come along to help him in a private matter, saying the mayor was “using the police force as his collection agency."

"Some people think they are entitled to special privileges and that is what is egregious about that," said Schrock, who handles civil rights and police brutality cases.

Borgo, who said he owns 75 rental units in Plainfield, Manhattan and Ottawa, said he brought the police along so someone could witness him handing over the eviction papers.

Szepelak, 27, said she was 23 days behind in the rent for the two-bedroom apartment. Szepelak claims she made two prior attempts to pay her rent in cash but Borgo was not home to give her a receipt. Borgo said he didn’t know whether she attempted to pay him.

Szepelak said she moved out last week. But if she had stayed, Borgo’s eviction notice would not have held up in court, according to Schrock.

Landlords must petition courts to obtain a legal eviction, a process that usually takes months.

After a court issues an eviction, the sheriff’s department may assist the landlord but not officers from a municipal police force.

Police Chief William Fitzgerald said the mayor requested that the police officially serve Szepelak, but the officers said they would not.

Fitzgerald said officers Jesus Garcia and Ronald Whorle remained in the parking lot to keep the peace. This contradicts Garcia's report, which states they entered the building with Borgo.

Fitzgerald and Becker said police have stood by to keep peace for other landlords besides Borgo but were unable to give examples of similar circumstances. The situations they did cite occurred after a proper court eviction.

Borgo said the reason he took his police was to have witnesses. 

"I wanted someone there to witness me handing over the material and to make sure nothing happened," he said. "In this case because it was Feb. 28th, I had to make sure there was some evidence that she received it on the 28th."

Borgo brought the cops to Szepelak’s place after she complained to police that the mayor caused a scene at her work, Berkot’s Super Foods in Manhattan, earlier that day. 

Borgo said it was a coincidence that he was grocery shopping that afternoon. He called Szepelak out from behind the bakery counter for what he described as a private conversation. Both Szepelak and Borgo said Borgo asked her for the rent money. She said she would pay it that night.

Borgo said he raised his voice during the conversation and pointed, but said he did not yell or threaten Szepelak.

"First of all, I don't holler," he explained. "I would say my tone went up a notch or two because I was frustrated.

"I waved my finger at her," he said. "I don't consider a finger being a threatening thing."

After the incident, Berkot's transferred Szepelak to a store 30 miles from her home. She said she did not request the transfer.  

Store Manager Art Magama declined to comment about the transfer. He said Berkot's corporate was handling the matter and he would have someone call with a comment. No one called.