Cayuga County Chief Assistant District Attorney Chris Valdina has been sworn in as a special assistant U.S. attorney, giving him the authority to prosecute federal cases under the supervision of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on September 4 and was conducted by John Sarcone, acting U.S. attorney for the district. According to Sarcone, special assistant U.S. attorneys are empowered to handle federal prosecutions while maintaining their local roles.
Valdina, who joined the Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office in 1998, previously served as an appellate prosecutor before being named chief assistant under former DA Jon Budelmann in 2008. He will continue serving in that role while taking on federal cases.
