Cover-Up Continues in Surrogate's Court Chief Clerk Firing

Chief clerk of Surrogate’s Court fired
The Buffalo News by Thomas J. Prohaska - August 24, 2010

LOCKPORT, NY — The chief clerk of Niagara County Surrogate’s Court was fired last week, but the reason remains a mystery. Ronald A. Sutton, a Town of Lockport attorney, was ousted from the post he had held for 14 years. The Buffalo News learned that court officers escorted Sutton out of the County Courthouse at the close of business Thursday. County Judge Sara Sheldon Sperrazza, who was on vacation last week, said Monday the decision was made at the Eighth Judicial District office in Buffalo. A call to the office of Eighth Judicial District Administrative Judge Paula L. Feroleto was returned by David Bookstaver, spokesman for the state Office of Court Administration. Bookstaver would say only that Sutton “no longer works for the court system.” “We don’t discuss employment matters publicly,” he said. Sutton, 48, had been chief clerk of Surrogate’s Court, which handles estates and wills, for 14 years. Such posts are called “at-will” positions, meaning their occupants can be fired at will. Deputy Clerk Michael C. Veruto is in charge for now. Veruto said he was not in the building when Sutton was escorted out and had no information on the matter. Sutton could not be reached to comment.