Putnam ADA Honored with Morgenthau Award

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe, President of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York, was joined Jan 27 by District Attorneys and senior law enforcement officials from around the state including New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to honor five prosecutors with the prestigious Hogan Award and Morgenthau Awards.

The Hogan Award was presented to:
Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney

The Morgenthau Award – one for each of four regions that make up the state --

1. Chana Krauss, Putnam County ;
2. Sheryl Hirsh Anania, Nassau County;
3. David Rossi, Albany County; and
4. Grant Garramone, Oneida County.

The Morgenthau Award, established in 2009, recognizes one assistant district attorney from each of four regions of the state whose professional accomplishments, honesty, integrity and commitment to justice exemplify Mr. Morgenthau’s high standards during his tenure as New York County District Attorney.

The 2017 Robert M. Morgenthau Awards were presented to:

Region 1: Chana Krauss, First Assistant District Attorney, Putnam County District Attorney’s Office (Nominated by District Attorney Robert Tendy)

Chana Krauss began her legal career at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office after graduating law school. She was later promoted to supervisor in the Grand Jury Bureau and then Deputy Chief. She mentored young Assistant District attorneys learning how to evaluate cases and prepare Grand Jury Presentations. Today Chana helps train everyone in the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office. She conducts Continuing Legal Education training and has trained Putnam County first responders on child investigations and has conducted search and seizure training with Putnam County law enforcement agencies.

“Chana has earned the respect of the local defense bar and judges. She is an incredible source of knowledge and tireless worker,” said Zugibe.

Region 2 Sheryl Hirsh Anania, Executive Assistant District Attorney (Nominated by Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas).

Sheryl currently works as Executive Assistant District Attorney for Conviction Integrity. She oversees the Appeals Bureau, Conviction Integrity Unit and Mental Health Unit. She helped create and supervises the “Closer to the Crib Program” that supports positive developmental outcomes in prenatal to three-year-old children of criminal offenders. The program reduces the likelihood that these children will be involved in criminal activity later in life.

Sheryl began her career as a prosecutor in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and has handled or supervised virtually every type of criminal case. She tried the notorious Zodiac Killer case, where Heriberto Seda was charged with the attempted murders of police officers, his sisters and Brooklyn residents in the early 1990’s and left drawings of his victim’s zodiac signs at the crime scenes. He was convicted and sentenced to 150 years in prison.

Since 2010, she has led the Nassau County District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit.

“Sheryl has worked hard and dedicated herself to an exceptional prosecutorial career. Her dedication to moral leadership has left a lasting impression on all of those who have worked with her,” said Zugibe.


Region 3: David Rossi, Chief Assistant District Attorney (nominated by Albany County District Attorney David Soares)

David Rossi began his career with the Albany County District Attorney’s Office as a college intern. He continued working at the office throughout law school and after graduation was hired as an Assistant District Attorney assigned to the Appeals Unit. He has worked under three different Albany County District Attorneys and has had numerous roles throughout the office.

David served as the Bureau Chief of the Joint Special Victims and Homicide Unit where he handled sex crimes in Albany and prosecuted murders. Today, he is Chief Assistant District Attorney. He runs training sessions on technical and legal subjects and is active in DAASNY.

“David is recognized by his peers, his subordinates and his partners in law enforcement for his hard work, his dedication and his commitment to one standard of justice for all,” said Zugibe.

Region 4: Grant Garramone, Assistant District Attorney, nominated by Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara

Grant is the Bureau Chief of the Narcotics Unit of the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office where he has worked for over 20 years and prosecuted over 2000 felony cases. He is also cross-designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney.

Grant is a forfeiture expert and the author of “The Ethics of Asset Forfeiture,” published in the Spring 2016 Empire State Prosecutor publication.

“Grant always does what he believes the law and our ethical responsibilities require. Grant’s integrity in numerous situations exemplifies what the Morgenthau Award is all about,” said Zugibe.

The Hogan Award was awarded to Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney, one of the longest serving District Attorneys in New York State.

The Hogan Award honors a District Attorney who exemplifies the values for which DA Frank Hogan stood for -- integrity and an unwavering commitment to achieving justice and fairness to all who come before the court. Hogan was District Attorney of New York County for more than 30 years and was elected to nine four-year terms.

DA Carney has been Schenectady County District Attorney since 1990. He served as DAASNY President from June 2000 to June 2001 and has been a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 1996.

“Bob is one of our most articulate and intelligent speakers on a wide range of criminal justice issues. We are fortunate to have the benefit of his expertise and insight,” said Zugibe.

In Schenectady County, DA Carney established a Special Victims Unit, an Effective Child Sex Abuse Prosecution Team and a Victim Assistance and Advocacy Program. He also established the AWARE program that provides silent alarms to domestic violence victims so they can safely call for help. DA Carney was one of the first District Attorneys in New York to enact a program to videotape confessions and has championed the use of surveillance cameras to reduce crime.

In 2003, DA Carney was honored by the New York State Bar Association as Prosecutor of the Year. He was also honored in 2000 by the Schenectady County Bar Association as Lawyer of the Year. He was honored by the New York State Humane Society for outstanding enforcement of animal cruelty laws. He was also honored by Rape Crisis Services for outstanding service to victims of sex crimes.

“All of us who have worked with DA Carney treasure his thoughts and guidance and the impact he has had on the community of prosecutors. He is the epitome of what a modern prosecutor should be,” said Zugibe.