Man accused of harassing Rep. Dean
Voicemail messages referenced the Proud Boys and Dean’s testimony during the second impeachment trial of former President Trump.
CHELTENHAM » A Delaware County man is accused of leaving harassing and lewd voicemail messages at the Montgomery County office of U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean.
Stephen Michael Cilurso, 68, of the 400 block of East Magnolia Avenue, was arraigned before District Court Judge Christopher Cerski on misdemeanor and summary charges of harassment in connection with alleged incidents that occurred between Feb. 10 and Feb. 18 at Dean’s office. Dean, a Democrat whose office is located in the 100 block of East Glenside Avenue, in the Glenside section of Cheltenham Township, represents the 4th Congressional District, which includes most of Montgomery County and a portion of Berks County.
Cilurso remains free on unsecured bail while awaiting an April 22 preliminary hearing on the charges. As a condition of bail, Cilurso was ordered not to contact Dean.
An investigation began on Feb. 13 when county detectives were made aware of a series of harassing, unsolicited voicemail messages that had been left at Dean’s office. A special agent with the U.S. Capitol Police made local authorities aware of the voicemail messages, according to the criminal complaint filed by county Detective Vincent Higgins.
From Feb. 10 to Feb. 12, authorities uncovered 16 voicemail messages that were traced to a phone belonging to Cilurso, who does not live in Dean’s district.
“In these voicemail messages Cilurso uses vulgar, obscene and sexually explicit language, which serves no legitimate purpose,” Higgins alleged in the arrest affidavit.
Some of the voicemail messages also referenced the Proud Boys and Dean’s testimony during the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, according to the criminal complaint.
“This is The Proud Boys. The Proud Boys. Uh you can send your money to us. You know our office. We’re well known and again we’re looking forward to your contribution,” Cilurso allegedly stated in one alleged Feb. 10 voicemail message.
When detectives contacted Cilurso he allegedly stated “when he gets into drinking he has a dirty mouth,” according to the criminal complaint.
“Cilurso stated he is a supporter of President Trump and became angry while watching the impeachment trial on television,” Higgins alleged.
Authorities alleged they uncovered a total of 19 harassing voicemail messages linked to Cilurso. The last harassing voicemail was left on Feb. 18 after Cilurso had been advised by detectives to cease contacting Dean, according to the criminal complaint.