Latest news with #Sandonato
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
More hellbenders released into Tennessee rivers
LEWIS COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — More hellbenders have been let loose in Middle Tennessee. In what's become an annual tradition, the Nashville Zoo and their partners, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Tennessee State University, released more of the giant salamanders into the Duck River watershed on Tuesday. It's an all-day, full-team effort, but Tennessee now has 11 more hellbenders in its waterways, with six more joining them on Wednesday. Nashville Zoo welcomes red river hog piglet In 2024, the group brought 27 hellbenders into river streams. They've now released over 100 in total. 'We are finding resident hellbenders, which are the ones that actually have grown in the wild. So that's very exciting,' said Pia Sandonato, a conservationist with the Nashville Zoo. While considered endangered, Tennessee Hellbenders are still not a federally-protected species. The hellbenders released by the zoo can and will be tracked. 'You can say they're kind of like your babies, so it's nice to see your children going out finally where they belong and actually doing good,' said Sandonato. 'They're key components of aquatic ecosystems that they inhabit. They act as predators and also as prey in their ecosystems, so they actually help balance aquatic life.' Inside hellbender salamander transmitter surgery at the Nashville Zoo Hellbenders have to be in cool, clear, swift-moving streams with plenty of rocks to live and hide under. To diversify their population, the zoo and its partners change where they release the hellbenders and have begun finding more of the 'resident' hellbenders in our waterways. This was the fifth year the zoo and its partners have done this mass release. Sandonato hopes within another 10 years or more, they won't need to do this anymore because Hellbenders will be completely self-sustained in nature. ⏩ Read today's top stories on According to the zoo, the biggest hurdle they're facing with their hellbender program is trying to figure out why they don't see many eggs or larvae in the wild. 'We have a higher age class of older hellbenders in the wild, which is what we're noticing now. and is the reason why we keep this project ongoing,' Sandonato explained. Including babies, the Nashville Zoo has about 100 more Hellbenders that they're raising and waiting to release in the years ahead. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Niagara County denies another newspaper info appeal
Niagara County is refusing to release a redacted copy of reports compiled, at taxpayer expense, by a private law firm hired to review the conduct of attorneys working for the public defender's office. In a letter dated April 15, county Legislature Chair Rebecca Wydysh, R-Lewiston, indicated that the county has denied the Niagara Gazette and Lockport Union-Sun & Journal's appeal of its denial of a Freedom of Information Law request that sought redacted copies of two reports compiled following an investigation of the public defender's office by Bond, Schoeneck & King of Buffalo. The newspapers sought, in a Freedom of Information Law request sent to the county in March, a copy of any work product produced by the law firm, which was paid $23,192 to oversee the roughly two-month probe that took place last November and December. The county denied the request, while acknowledging the law firm produced two reports — one 12 pages long and a second that included 14 pages. In its denial, the county argued both reports constitute an 'attorney work product' and are, therefore, protected from public release as they represent information disclosed under 'attorney-client privilege.' The newspapers appealed the county's decision, requesting another review and the release of both reports, allowing for information to be redacted in keeping with state law which bars the public release of certain types of information, including personal data such as Social Security numbers. The county hired Bond, Schoeneck and King to conduct what they described as an 'independent, third-party review' of operations and staff in response to a complaint filed by a female attorney working for the public defender's office. The complaint resulted in the office's top two attorneys — chief public defender Nicholas Robinson and his first deputy Vince Sandonato — being placed on paid administrative leave amid the law firm's investigation. The law firm's findings were shared privately in executive session with members of the county legislature during a meeting on Jan. 21. During that meeting, county lawmakers accepted the law firm's recommendations to remove Robinson and Sandonato from their positions. The legislature also agreed during the meeting to accept Robinson's resignation, effective Feb. 3, and to hire veteran Erie County private defense attorney Herb Greenman as his replacement. Robinson did resign and left the public defender's office. Sandonato is no longer in his position as first deputy public defender but was hired by the county to work as a Medicaid fraud specialist in February. In denying the newspapers' appeal, Wydysh described both reports as being 'submitted to the firm's client after research and analysis on an issue the firm was specifically hired to examine and advise on.' 'The reports are the culmination of reflection and thought process of members of a firm that utilized their professional skill to render opinions based upon legal analysis of an issue,' Wydysh wrote. 'That legal analysis and opinion was discussed to its client in a confidential manner for the purpose of rending legal advice. Based upon the foregoing, your appeal is denied.' Wydysh's denial letter did not address the newspapers' contention that, by law, the county has a minimum obligation to release copies of both reports with allowable redactions. The county's latest denial of a FOIL request appeal from the newspapers follows an earlier decision on a different matter in which Wydysh maintained, against the newspapers' objections, that the county can require payment for costs associated with scanning, redacting and copying timesheets filed by attorneys working for the public defender. The newspapers filed their initial FOIL request in February, seeking copies of timesheets filed by county public defenders between Jan. 1, 2023 and Feb. 10, 2025. The county has offered to make copies of the timesheets available at a cost of $356.83, or to allow a reporter to conduct an in-person inspection of physical copies of redacted timesheets. Due to a county requirement that the reporter would need to be accompanied by an assigned county employee at the time of inspection, the estimated cost of that option is $282.25. Micheal Higgins, an attorney who filed the appeal on behalf of the newspapers in the timesheet case, argued that the county has no legal right to charge for the reproduction of public documents requested in electronic form under the state's Freedom of Information Law. In both FOIL request denials, the newspapers have the right to file article 78 proceedings in court in an effort to challenge the county's decisions. The newspapers are weighing their legal options.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Niagara County refuses to release law firm's public defender's office findings
Niagara County has denied a request to release two reports from a private law firm paid more than $23,000 to conduct an investigation that led to the removal of the two top attorneys from the public defender's office earlier this year. In response to a Freedom of Information Law request that sought disclosure of any 'work product' tied to the review performed by the Buffalo-based law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King, issued an opinion suggesting two reports written and generated by the firm are exempt from disclosure under state law because they constitute 'attorney work product that include legal research, analysis and conclusions.' In his response, Joerg disclosed that the law firm developed two reports while conducting the probe in November and December, including one containing 12 pages that was delivered on Dec. 20 and a 'further report' containing 14 pages made available to county officials in February. County lawmakers hired the law firm last year to conduct what they characterized as an 'independent, third-party' review of the public defender's office following a complaint filed by a female attorney who is a member of the staff. After conducting interviews with several employees, the firm recommended the county legislature remove attorney Nick Robinson from his post as chief public defender and Vince Sandonato from his role as Robinson's top deputy. Records obtained by the newspaper show the county spent $23,192 on legal services provided by the law firm during its investigation. County officials have refused to disclose any details about the law firm's findings, describing it as a personnel matter while suggesting the law firm's conclusions are barred from public disclosure under attorney-client privilege. Lawmakers were briefed on the law firm's findings during a meeting in executive session on Jan. 21. Following the private session, legislators in attendance voted unanimously to require both Robinson and Sandonato to resign from their positions by Feb. 3. Robinson complied. Robinson did not. The county has since confirmed that Sandonato has been hired to fill an open position as a county Medicaid fraud specialist with social services. The full-time job pays $115,000 per year, down from his previous salary with the public defender's office of $150,000.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Questions linger about public defender's office moves
Following a complaint from a female attorney, Niagara County spent more than $23,000 to hire a private law firm to investigate the inner workings of the public defender's office. The law firm's review culminated in a recommendation that the county legislature remove the office's top two attorneys from their leadership posts. Despite the recommendation, one of those attorneys — former Niagara Falls Republican Party Chairman Vince Sandonato — ended up getting a new county job working for a different department. So why would the county keep an employee recommended for dismissal following what legislators characterized as an 'independent, third-party' review? Carla Speranza, a Democrat who represents the legislature's 12th District in Lockport, thinks it's a good question. She said she was surprised to learn the county agreed to hire Sandonato as a Medicaid fraud specialist in the social services department after he was invited to leave his previous position as first deputy public defender. 'I'm comfortable that the county took the allegations seriously enough to perform the investigation and a conclusion was shared,' she said. 'It baffles the mind that this would happen and that Mr. Sandonato would receive a job placement elsewhere.' Records obtained by the newspaper show the county spent $23,192 on legal services provided by the law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King over the course of the public defender's office review in November and December. County officials have not disclosed any details about the law firm's findings, saying it is a personnel matter and that the conclusions are barred from public disclosure under attorney-client privilege. Officials have said the law firm reached its conclusions following interviews with staff members in response to the female attorney's complaint that raised concerns about the conduct of some of her colleagues. Speranza said she felt the law firm delivered a 'very valuable' and 'objective' assessment, describing the third-party review as 'money well spent.' While the outcome may have resulted in a benefit for Sandonato, she questions whether it was in the best interest of the county. 'I didn't expect them to allow him to reply in the county and take another position,' she said. 'My assumption is that the county would end up with employment separation for the individuals involved. I'm really surprised and honestly disappointed.' County lawmakers were presented — during a private session held in executive session during their Jan. 21 meeting — with the findings of the law firm's review and a recommendation that they seek resignations from Sandonato and his boss, Chief Public Defender Nick Robinson. County officials said they expected both men to resign by Feb. 3. Robinson complied. Sandonato did not. Earlier this week, the county confirmed that Sandonato was hired to fill an open position as a county Medicaid fraud specialist with social services. The full-time job pays $115,000 per year, down from Sandonato's previous salary with the public defender's office of $150,000. Sandonato is no stranger to local politics, having previously served as chair of the Falls GOP committee and as a former county legislator and trustee on the board at SUNY Niagara. His wife, Jennifer, is also the county's Republican elections commissioner, a position appointed by the legislature. Majority Leader Randy Bradt, R-North Tonawanda, said Sandonato had the right to pursue the Medicaid fraud specialist position which was open due to a retirement. He described Sandonato as 'uniquely qualified' for the role, given his prior work as a former chief counsel to the social services department, former county legislator and former public defender. 'It must be stressed, that while the contents of the report are confidential, there were no allegations of any criminal behavior,' Bradt said. Bradt said Sandonato was hired for the fraud specialist position following discussions between county leadership, County Manager Rick Updegrove, the social services commissioner and human resources. He noted that Sandonato was hired based on 'certain conditions' attached to address issues raised in the Bond, Schoeneck & King report. 'Those conditions were non-negotiable, and failure to comply would result in dismissal,' Bradt said. Minority Leader Chris Robins, a Democrat who represents the 5th District in Niagara Falls, said that while he also had questions about Sandonato filling another role in the county, the decision ultimately rests with his Republican counterparts who outnumber Democrats in the legislature by a 12-3 margin. He added that he thinks it was important that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle followed through on the law firm's recommendation that the two attorneys no longer work in the public defender's office. 'I think that was our charge and I think that was important,' he said. Robins also said he's confident the county found a solid replacement for Robinson in Herb Greenman, an experienced private defense attorney from Erie County whose hiring was approved by the legislature during its Jan. 21 meeting. 'You're not going to talk to an attorney in Western New York who will say he's not well respected,' Robins said.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Public defender who resigned gets new county job
Attorney Vince Sandonato is no longer working for the Niagara County Public Defender's Office, but he will continue to be employed by the county in a different capacity as long as he complies with stipulations for keeping his new job. County spokesperson Kevin Schuler confirmed Monday that Sandonato resigned as the county's first deputy public defender by a Feb. 3 deadline imposed by county lawmakers last month. However, Schuler said Sandonato will remain on the county payroll having successfully applied for an open position as a Medicaid fraud specialist with the social services department. The appointment to the new position is contingent upon Sandonato adhering to 'certain conditions,' according to Schuler. The county did not release those conditions on Monday, saying the human resources department considers such conditions as a 'personnel matter' and, therefore confidential. 'Mr. Sandonato sought to maintain county employment and applied for the open position of Medicaid fraud specialist in the social services department,' Schuler said in a statement issued in response to questions from the newspaper. 'Mr. Sandonato was appointed to that position with certain conditions attached, to which he agreed. Failure to comply with these conditions is grounds for immediate termination.' County legislators unanimously agreed during a meeting on Jan. 21 to accept the resignation of Sandonato's former boss — the county's ex-chief public defender Nick Robinson — effective Feb 3. They did so with the expectation that Sandonato would resign from his position as Robinson's first deputy by the same date. Robinson has been replaced as the office's top administrator by prominent Erie County private defense attorney Herb Greenman. The management shakeup came weeks after Robinson and Sandonato were placed on paid administrative leave amid what county officials described as an 'independent, third party review' of the public defender's office by the private law firm — Bond, Schoeneck & King in Erie County. County lawmakers received an update on the law firm's findings in private during an executive session held during the legislature's Jan. 21 meeting. After the meeting, county officials declined to disclose any specifics, saying only that the law firm recommended both Robinson and Sandonato be removed from their leadership roles. The county has refused to release a copy of the law firm's findings. County attorney Claude Joerg has argued that the contents are considered 'attorney-client privilege' and, therefore, not subject to public disclosure under New York's Freedom of Information Law. Following the Jan. 21 meeting, Minority Leader Chris Robins, D-Niagara Falls, said the outside law firm determined the public defender's office was not operating as a 'professional workplace.' Robins said none of the findings related to anything criminal in nature while describing it more as a situation involving 'unprofessional conduct.' Sandonato was appointed to his position as a full-time assistant public defender by the Republican-led legislature in 2020. He previously served as a county lawmaker, a member of the board of trustees at SUNY Niagara and chairman of the Niagara Falls Republican Committee. His wife, Jennifer, serves as the Republican elections commissioner for the Niagara County Board of Elections. Reached by telephone Monday afternoon, Robins said he was not aware and surprised to learn that Sandonato obtained a different position in the county. He said he intends to ask about the conditions tied to his new job with the social services department. 'One of my major concerns obviously right from the beginning is that they needed to be out of the public defender's office,' Robins said. 'I don't think there was much of a choice. The department couldn't stay as it was.'
