Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren and her estranged husband, Timothy Granison, are scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday on five charges including one class E felony. This is the thirdfelonycharge that Warren has faced in the last year. There are still two pending felony counts from campaign finance charges filed last October.
A news release from the Monroe County District Attorney’s office Friday said Warren and Granison will be accused of criminal possession of a firearm, a class E felony; two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child; and two counts of failure to lock or secure a firearm in a dwelling, a misdemeanor violation under Rochester’s city code.
The charges stem from a raid on their home in May. Granison is alleged to be part of a mid-level drug ring and is believed to have sold crack and powdered cocaine. He pleaded not guilty on all charges. There is no indication that Warren was involved at all.
A months-long investigation led authorities to Warren and Granison’s home where police found their 10-year-old daughter there alone. They also found two unsecured, unregistered handguns. A criminal complaint in the case alleges that Grainison made a drug deal in a car with his daughter in the front seat.
Deb Rosen, executive director of the Bivona Child Advocacy Center, which partners with area agencies to help children in tough situations like this, said a child protective services investigation is common when charges like these are filed against parents.
“Because of the nature of the endangerment charge there would be a very high degree of confidentiality,” said Rosen. “While the child protective investigation is separate to the criminal proceeding. Those two investigations may inform one another.”
Rosen said that these investigations take many shapes, some happen before the charges, others happen after. It depends on the ruling body, in this case it’s Monroe County.
Monroe County Communications Director Steve Barz tells WXXI News that the law prohibits the county from confirming or denying an investigation. Rosen said keeping things confidential is meant to protect the child’s privacy.
If Warren pleads guilty or is convicted of any felony, New York State’s Public Officers lawrequires her to step down, much like former City Councilmember Adam McFadden did two years ago. A conviction would potentially put Warren’s law licence in jeopardy.
Cayuga County Judge Thomas Leone is presiding over this case as well as Warren’s campaign finance case.
