Karen Mannino, the Town of Bethel attorney who resigned that position earlier this month "to pursue other opportunities," might be joining the Sullivan County District Attorney's Office in a senior position - before being appointed as Acting DA prior to January, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The information could not be independently confirmed at press time and Mannino could not immediately be reached for comment late Wednesday.
She would replace DA Meagan Galligan, who on Election Day won a judicial election with two other candidates to join the Third Judicial Department.
Galligan - who would have to hire Mannino before taking her judicial oath of office in January - will be departing after serving two years as District Attorney following her victory over retired County Court Judge Frank LaBuda in their 2020 election. She also served for one year as Acting DA and was chief assistant district attorney from 2016 through 2019 under former DA Jim Farrell, who won election as County Court judge in 2019.
Mannino, who has been practicing law since 1997, also served as an Assistant District Attorney to former DA Steve Lungen.
Mannino has also served as counsel for the Town of Cochecton and previously worked under Sam Yasgur, the late County Attorney.
The SullivanTimes previously reported that criminal defense attorneys Jared Hart and John Ferrara were being considered to take over for Galligan. But Hart withdrew his name before Ferrara recently emerged as a leading candidate.
Both Hart and Ferrara did not previously confirm or deny to The SullivanTimes that they were candidates.
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