During his 24 years as Ontario County District Attorney, R. Michael Tantillo has seen a marked change in the region’s crime statistics. While the state average for DWI convictions is still high, fatal alcohol-related crashes have decreased from an average of fifteen each year to two. The changes can be attributed to the office’s reputation as a tough prosecutor. Here are some reasons why:
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Pat Gallagher
Ontario County District Attorney Pat Gallagher was hired to prosecute a homicide case after a tainted plea deal. The case involved a young woman, Gladys Broadhurst, who had six husbands. She was first married when she was twenty years old, then again when she was 14 months old. She then married Dr. Broadhurst and Leslie Lincoln. She later married a sixth time, a young cowboy chauffeur. Gallagher, whose father was the District Attorney for the County of Ontario, is the grandchild of Gladys Broadhurst.
Gallagher has been a public servant and former police officer. He is a member of the Collin County Deputies Association, which represents the county’s deputies and other employees. His experience as a police officer in Plano and his tenure as a civil service commission commissioner gives him unique insight into the district attorney’s role. In addition to serving on the commission, Gallagher also served as a police officer for ten years.
Mark Monaghan
The office of Ontario County District Attorney Mark Monaghan has been in operation for almost five years. He has a background in the court system as the former head of the Special Investigations Bureau. Before joining the district attorney’s office, he spent four years in private practice. Today, he is one of the most experienced prosecutors in the area. He is a native of Greece. In addition to his legal training, Mr. Monaghan has served in various law enforcement positions in the Rochester area.
Michelle Crowley
Ontario County, New York, recently hired an assistant district attorney to replace Toby Reh, who has begun a private practice in Victor. Michelle H. Crowley previously served as an assistant district attorney in Orange County and most recently worked as a senior assistant district attorney in the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. Her new position will require her to oversee grand jury cases, schedule grand juries, supervise stenographers, and work with community members who have served on grand juries.
Ms. Crowley received her law degree from Albany Law School and worked for the Monroe County DA’s office since 2002. She has handled cases involving murder, robbery, and burglaries, as well as assault and illegal weapons. Her last case involved a murder conviction of Kevin Lewis, who was sentenced to 65 years to life in prison. In November, Reh resigned from her position as the district attorney to establish a private practice with her friend, Angelo Rose.
Ms. Catalano
Ms. Catalano is a lifelong resident of Ontario. She graduated from Aquinas Institute and attended the State University of New York at Buffalo. She has worked in various departments in the town and has been a member of the Town Council since 2014. She is also a local business owner. Deb Hibbard is a 45-year resident of Ontario. She studied at Wayne Central School and SUNY Geneseo.
Her pending case stems from her years as a public administrator on Staten Island. She prosecuted more than 40 felony trials and handled major crimes. She promised to make Surrogate’s Court more accessible to residents and make the process more streamlined. However, she turned down a plea bargain offer from prosecutors in Lake Havasu City. She faces a bench trial scheduled for Jan. 26.
Ms. Perry
Ms. Perry has a long record of success in the prosecution of criminal cases. She has been part of the criminal justice system for over 20 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton College and her Juris Doctorate from the University at Buffalo School of Law. She is active in the community and is a member of the Bivona Child Advocacy Center. Her office is responsible for prosecuting violent felony cases and investigating child abuse.
Ms. Perry is originally from Monroe County. She attended the State University of Buffalo School of Law. She has been an active member of her community and has a strong record of public service. She is a member of the Monroe County bar association and is very familiar with the court system. Perry also serves as an Assistant District Attorney for the Monroe County Office. Her background includes serving as Chief of the Major Felony Bureau and a member of the Local Courts Bureau.
Pat Gallagher’s office
Pat Gallagher is a member of the Ontario County District Attorney’s office and has been in the office since 2011. He previously served as a prosecutor in the Major Felony Bureau and the Local Court Bureau. He became Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau in 2021. His areas of expertise include the prosecution of violent felony and homicide cases. He also works closely with the Willow Domestic Violence Center. His educational background includes a Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law.
The appointment comes after a petition from employees of the Collin County Sheriff’s Department was approved by employees by a vote of 296 to 35. Gallagher has experience in law enforcement and will bring a fresh perspective to the district attorney’s office. He was previously a police officer and served on a civil service commission in Plano. He has received good reviews from city staff members.
