According to The Poughkeepsie Journal, Michael Murphy and Sam Feiler, 2 custodians in the Wappingers School District, have filed a complaint against Catherine DeFazio, the former head custodian at Van Wyck Junior High School, alleging that she sexually harassed them and the district didn't take adequate steps to stop her.

The Poughkeepsie Journal article states that additional defendants include the district itself and officials such as Ron Broas, director of facilities and operations, Joanne Sereda, the former director of human resources, and Thomas Giorno, who took over as head custodian at Van Wyck after DeFazio was transferred.

According to the allegations, the sexual harassment began within weeks of starting at Van Wyck in 2011. Complaints were filed and the District began an investigation in 2013, whereupon, the men allege that their work environment changed for the worst, according to The Poughkeepsie Journal.

In the summer of 2013,  DeFazio went on a “workers’ compensation” leave of absence until mid-June of 2014. As of March of this year, she is no longer a district employee, but as The Poughkeepsie Journal points out, it's unclear if she was terminated or resigned.

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