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(WIVB) – Former Erie County Democratic chairman Steve Pigeon was
arraigned on a six-count indictment Thursday morning, including
first-degree rape and predatory sexual assault. He was accused of
raping a girl under the age of eleven in the fall of 2016.
The charges are as follows:
Two counts of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child (Class “A-II” felonies)
One count of Rape in the First Degree (Class “B” felony)
One count of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree (Class “B”
felony)
One count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (Class “D” felony)
One count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class “A”
misdemeanor)
“He’s facing life in prison,” said John Flynn, the Erie County
District Attorney. Within hours of turning himself in to NY State
Police in Clarence, Pigeon, 61, was in handcuffs and an orange
jumpsuit in State Supreme Court pleading not guilty to a six count
indictment which includes predatory sexual assault and rape.
“One evening there were actually two separate events that occurred
that evening that resulted in these charges,” said Flynn.
Last summer the girl told her mother about it, an investigation
began immediately and prosecutors say soon after that Pigeon sent a
disturbing text last July, according to Patrick Swanson, an
assistant district attorney. “The defendant texted one of the
victims family members who the defendant is close with to inquire
about what was going on and why no one was returning his call,
stating; ‘Why won’t you call? I am ready to do somethin drastic .
You have to talk to me.’
Later that day, prosecutors say Pigeon showed up at the victim’s
home. On August 2, prosecutor’s say Pigeon’s close friend Gary
Parenti showed up at the victim’s home inquiring about the case, and
the family called police.
Parenti and Pigeon worked closely on Tom Golisano’s campaign for NY
governor. Pigeon not only spent years fundraising for the Clinton
and Obama campaigns but even worked in Washington DC for the US
Secretary of Health and Human Services. An attorney himself, Pigeon
was currently awaiting sentencing on state charges of bribery and
federal charges of illegal political donations.
State Supreme Court Justice Christopher Burns issued temporary
orders of protection for the victim and her mother. Pigeon was
scheduled to be back in court on Monday at 9:15 a.m. to make a
request for bail from State Supreme Court Justice William Boller.
During that court appearance, Pigeon was remanded on $250,000 bail.
If convicted of all charges, Pigeon faces a maximum of 25 years to
life in prison. He will be back in court on December 20.
https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/former-erie-county-democratic- chairman-steve-pigeon-arraigned-on-six-charges-including-rape/
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