New York Attorney Acc Chenango County DA and Detective of Abusing Power to Pursue Personal Vendettas

**Upstate New York Attorney Accuses Chenango County DA and Detective of Abusing Power to Pursue Personal Vendettas****NORWICH, NY** — A local attorney is accusing a Chenango County District Attorney and a veteran detective of exploiting their positions of authority to pursue personal grudges and retaliate against individuals who challenge them. Stephanie Hanrahan, an attorney based in Norwich, has brought forward explosive allegations against Detective Anthony Lawrence of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney Michael Ferrerese, claiming that they used the justice system as a tool for personal retribution.Hanrahan, who worked in various legal roles within the county, including as the Norwich City Attorney, says she became the target of a relentless campaign of harassment and false accusations after her relationship with Lawrence ended. In her detailed account, Hanrahan alleges that Lawrence subjected her to years of emotional and mental abuse, including threats of suicide, emotional manipulation, and gaslighting. She also claims that Lawrence, in a vindictive attempt to discredit her, falsely accused her of pulling a gun on him during an incident at her home, leading to a false charge of menacing.”I have recordings, text messages, and other proof in his own words that show how he manipulated the system to make me look like the aggressor,” Hanrahan stated. “This is not just about personal vendettas; it’s about a powerful figure in law enforcement abusing his authority to silence and retaliate against someone who could no longer be controlled.”One of the key pieces of evidence Hanrahan plans to provide, she says, is an audio recording of a phone conversation with Lawrence where he admits to lying about the gun incident and his own struggles with suicidal ideation. Hanrahan’s attorney also stated that the detective’s behavior has been well-documented within law enforcement circles, with several colleagues aware of his history of emotional abuse and erratic actions.In addition to Lawrence’s alleged abuse, Hanrahan points to Ferrerese, the Chenango County District Attorney, as having played a pivotal role in facilitating the retaliation. She claims that Ferrerese interfered with her employment prospects, notably attempting to block her from becoming the county’s Public Defender due to her relationship with Lawrence. Hanrahan alleges that Ferrerese’s actions were politically motivated, fueled by a desire to stifle her career and prevent her from running for office—something she has always denied any intention of doing.”Ferrerese used his position as DA to target me for reasons that were purely personal,” Hanrahan said. “He wasn’t just concerned with the law. He was using his power to protect his allies, like Lawrence, and to undermine my career and reputation.”Adding fuel to the fire, Hanrahan claims that a pattern of corruption exists within the local justice system. She alleges that despite providing investigators with substantial evidence of Lawrence’s violent history, including a previous assault charge in 2009, nothing was done to remove his firearms or investigate his alleged threats of violence. Furthermore, she asserts that Lawrence’s colleagues, including Detective Bartno and Investigator West, failed to take her allegations seriously, potentially shielding him from accountability.”This is a classic case of cops protecting cops,” Hanrahan said, explaining how Lawrence’s colleagues in the Sheriff’s Office and the State Police ignored her claims and allowed his dangerous behavior to continue unchecked.Hanrahan’s claims are compounded by her assertion that a double standard was applied during her own legal proceedings. She was arrested after a domestic dispute with Lawrence in which she was alleged to have pointed a gun at him. However, Hanrahan argues that the charges against her were based on lies, and that Lawrence’s actions were not only ignored but actively protected by the law enforcement community.”I’m living in fear every day,” Hanrahan explained. “I’ve been forced to relocate because I’m afraid of what Lawrence will do next. The system failed me, and I believe it failed others who may have suffered at his hands.”In her request for a thorough investigation, Hanrahan has provided her attorneys with extensive documentation, including audio recordings, text messages, and witness statements, to corroborate her allegations. She also asks for a probe into the conduct of both Lawrence and Ferrerese, as well as the actions of other law enforcement officers who allegedly enabled Lawrence’s abusive behavior.”The public deserves to know the truth about how power is being abused in our local justice system,” Hanrahan concluded. “This is bigger than me. It’s about accountability for those who think they can manipulate the law for personal gain.”The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, and the New York State Police have not issued official statements.

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