Marcus Hook's troubled ex-mayor facing new charges, lawsuit

When the former mayor of Marcus Hook was arrested Feb. 13 and charged in the unauthorized withdrawal of over $3,100 from a Knights of Columbus bank account, he told police, "It was a big mistake."

As a result of the arrest, James Schiliro, who served eight months in prison for his conviction in an incident involving a 20-year-old male love interest, has been sent back to jail for violating the terms of his parole.

Schiliro's run of bad luck continued into this week. On Monday, he was named in a federal civil suit filed by his male victim accusing the former boilermaker of depriving him of his civil rights.

Schiliro, now 40, was sentenced to 10 to 20 months for an alcohol-fueled episode last February in which he had a police car bring the man - a former neighbor to whom he said he was attracted - to his home, made him drink wine, and refused to let him leave for 31/2 hours. Schiliro was released from jail in September.

On Feb. 7, St. Joseph Council 4271 of the Knights of Columbus filed a report saying one of its bank accounts had been drained. An investigation by Upper Chichester Township police turned up surveillance pictures of Schiliro, a former member of the K. of C., withdrawing the money at a local branch of Wells Fargo Bank.

A police spokesman said that Schiliro stated he believed the account was his and that the money was for home repairs.

The civil-rights suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, claims Schiliro deprived Nicholas Dorsam of his constitutional rights and seeks more than $150,000 in damages. A Marcus Hook police officer and the borough are also named as defendants.

Counsel for the defendants did not respond to a request for comment.

Dorsam stated that Schiliro forced him to consume alcohol, even though he was under 21, and repeatedly attempted to engage him in oral sex, according to the suit.

Schiliro shared his personal thoughts about his sexual orientation and sexual desires, and told Dorsam he wanted to commit suicide. When Dorsam tried to go, Schiliro made it clear that he was not free to leave, according to the suit.

During the ordeal, Schiliro allegedly brandished three handguns and fired one of them, telling Dorsam, "'You are my hostage tonight.'"

Testifying in court last year, Schiliro credited Dorsam with saving his life.

"That night was a culmination of feelings which had built up over 25 years," said Schiliro.

He said he had known Dorsam since he was a teen and had helped him as a mentor. When Dorsam was 20, Schiliro said, he became attracted to him.

As a result of Schiliro's actions, Dorsam said, he will require expensive treatment for mental anguish, depression, nervousness, humiliation, and a loss of natural enjoyment of life.