Longtime political operative G. Steven Pigeon is planning to turn himself in to State Police on Thursday to face charges that he molested a child, two law enforcement officials told The Buffalo News.
The charges follow an investigation that State Police and the Erie County District Attorney’s Office have conducted for several months, a law enforcement official with direct knowledge of the case said on Wednesday.
“The case involves a sexual assault on a minor girl, under the age of 12,” the official said. “The child was someone he knew.”
That information was confirmed by a second source with direct knowledge of the investigation.
Pigeon, who is already awaiting sentencings for crimes including bribery of a former state judge and arranging an illegal campaign contribution, has been providing information to federal agents and prosecutors looking into allegations of political corruption in Western New York.
Pigeon’s defense attorney Paul J. Cambria and District Attorney John J. Flynn declined to comment on the case when contacted by a News reporter.
But Pigeon will be transported to Buffalo for arraignment after he turns himself in to State Police, four sources said.
Pigeon, 60, is a former chairman of the Erie County Democratic Committee and political consultant and lobbyist.
In October 2018, Pigeon pleaded guilty to federal charges that he arranged an illegal political donation to the campaign of then-Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Neither the governor or his campaign were ever implicated in the case.
He is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 14 in that case before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
In September 2018, Pigeon pleaded guilty in State Supreme Court to bribing John Michalek while Michalek was serving as a State Supreme Court judge. Michalek resigned after pleading guilty in June 2017.
Sources: Political operative Steve Pigeon to face charges of molesting a girl
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