District Attorney Michael Violante's statement on Donovan case

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District Attorney Michael Violante talks with concerned citizens at the 18th Street Community Resource Center in this 2009 file photo. The DA released a statement on the Donovan DWI plea deal on Wednesday. Scott Schild

July 28, 2010

By Mark Scheer Niagara Gazette The Niagara Gazette Wed Jul 28, 2010, 11:01 PM EDT

NIAGARA FALLS — The following is an exact transcript of Niagara County District Attorney Michael Violante’s press release issued Wednesday in response to public criticism of a plea deal he offered to the daughter of North Tonawanda Alderwoman Nancy Donovan. Sara E. Donovan was arrested for DWI earlier this month after a one-car accident but instead pleaded guilty to a parking ticket and a speeding ticket.

“Much has been said or written of my decision in the case involving Sara Donovan. Cases involving DWI are always taken very seriously by this office, especially those involving a property damage crash. And while I am required to administer justice evenly, I must review all of the relevant facts surrounding an arrest and treat each case individually and each person as an individual.

Plea offers such as the one involved in this case have occurred in the past and may very well occur in the future where a disposition outside the usual and common practices serve the interest of justice. The practice of plea bargaining at all court levels occurs on a daily basis and while some of those plea bargains may seem unusual to some citizens of Niagara County, I can assure you that the safety and well-being of all of the citizens of Niagara County is my utmost concern.

Unfortunately, in the case of Sara Donovan, the fact that this young woman is the daughter of a public official is drawing more attention than it would if the case involved the average citizen.

I will not make it a practice to explain or justify my decisions to the press in regards to plea bargain offers made by this office, however, I do not want the negative publicity of one case to overshadow the hard work and dedication of this office and all of the positive work done in the hundreds of cases handled on a daily basis.”

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