The acting Monroe County Public Defender is stepping aside. City newspaper reports Jill Paperno submitted her resignation, after finding out she would not be a candidate for the permanent position. Paperno has been with the Public Defender’s Office for 35 years.
Members of the Monroe County Legislature’s Democratic Caucus have expressed serious concerns over the Public Defender selection process, in which six of seven members of the selection committee were appointed by the legislature Republicans. Democrats say the committee has operated mainly outside of public view.
Democrat and Chronicle Reporter Gary Craig released a letter on Twitter which he confirms was written by a number of attorneys in the PD’s Office, also critical of the selection process. The letter says no one involved in it is familiar with what a public defender does and has not sought input from any PDs.