County prosecutors on the move

Schenectady sees several retirements, promotions, new hires

The retirement of three experienced prosecutors who accepted buyout packages offered by the county has led to several promotions and new hires within Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney ’s office.

After 30 plus years, those calling it quits are:

Raymond Dematteo, Jr., who according to the district attorney ’s office is probably the longest-serving prosecutor in the office’s history. He came on board in 1981 and stayed on as a part-time assistant district attorney in the Rotterdam Court.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Edward Moynihan, who has been with the office since 1986. For the last four years, Moynihan was the top assistant district attorney who managed the office’s felony caseload.

Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney William Sanderson who began in 1985 as an investigator before earning his law degree and becoming a prosecutor. In his role as deputy chief assistant district attorney, Sanderson led the grand jury bureau.

Not far behind those three in terms of tenure is Investigator James Catuccio, who transferred to Carney ’s office in the late 1990s, primarily assisting in the grand jury bureau. He previously worked as an investigator with the county Department of Social Services.

“With these retirements, the county loses some of the core prosecutorial expertise that has shaped our work for many years,” Carney said in a statement. “We will miss them, but they have done much to mentor younger prosecutors who are now ready and able to step forward and take more active leadership roles within the office.”

Promotions

Jennifer Assini, who joined the district attorney ’s office in 1991, will assume the No. 2 spot succeeding Moynihan. Over 29 years, she’s served as a sex crimes prosecutor, created the office’s forfeiture program, and the bureau chief of intelligence and investigations.

Christina Tremante-pelham, who has been with the office since 2006, has been appointed the new deputy chief assistant district attorney. She’s served as the Bureau chief of the special victims unit and the homicide bureau and handled many high profile murder cases.

Jessica Lorusso will take over as the new bureau chief of the grand jury bureau. The 18-year veteran has held positions in the office, including those of motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud prosecutor, special victims prosecutor, and a member of the grand jury bureau.

Brian Gray, a county prosecutor since 2010, has been named the new bureau chief of the county court bureau. His resume includes stints prosecuting motor vehicle crimes and multiple homicides.

“We are fortunate to have these talented and experienced prosecutors to take over important positions with management authority,” Carney said. “I am also pleased to announce that for the first time 2 of the 3 top management positions in the office are held by women who earned these positions by virtue of their accomplishments and leadership skills.”

Rounding out the management team is Peter Willis, a prosecutor for 14 years, who has served as counsel to the district attorney for the last two years.

New prosecutors

Two Albany Law School graduates, Leah Nelson and Daniel Lennon, have been hired as assistant district attorneys.