CHRISSY CASILIO – “ERIE COUNTY TAXPAYERS SHOULD NOT BE ON THE HOOK FOR THE LEGAL DEFENSE OF MIGRANT RAPIST”

Cheektowaga, August 9, 2023 – Chrissy Casilio, candidate for Erie County Executive, sent a letter to County Executive Mark Poloncarz this afternoon, seeking clarity on whether Erie County taxpayers, through the assigned counsel program, will bear the responsibility for funding the legal defense of migrant criminals.

Casilio’s letter to County Executive Poloncarz conveys her resolute stance: “I don’t believe taxpayers should be responsible for this expense. If I were the County Executive, I would refuse to submit the invoice for the migrant rapist’s legal defense to the Comptroller for payment.”

This inquiry follows a disturbing incident where a 26-year-old native of Venezuela, Jesus Guzman-Bermudez, a self-purported asylum seeker, was arrested and charged with rape, unlawful imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child. The alleged rape occurred in the presence of the three-year-old child of the victim in their shared hotel room.

Casilio expressed her concerns in a statement, stating, “As I said yesterday, I am speechless, sick, and heartbroken for the victim and family of this crime. I have two daughters, my youngest is almost three years old, and the thought of having an innocent child witness something so evil and brutal is unfathomable.”

“Following yesterday’s coverage of the alleged rape by a self-purported asylum seeker, our community is left with more questions than answers. Our County Executive continues to cower and shrink under the weight of this crisis. Erie County taxpayers deserve to know if they will be on the hook for the legal defense of the migrant rapist. Furthermore, as a mother, I cannot imagine the trauma and pain the victim and her 3-year-old daughter face. Every effort should be made to provide them with the necessary services and care during this difficult time. This is the reality of welcoming this crisis to our doorstep. Mark Poloncarz has been disingenuous and not forthcoming about what this situation means for our community,” she continued.

Casilio concluded, “I will always put the safety and well-being of Erie County residents first. Mark Poloncarz has been negligent in his duty and responsibility to keep our community safe. I won’t be.”